Health Minister: free movement after Easter possible

Freedom of movement in the Czech Republic could be restored after Easter, according to Health Minister Jan Blatný. Existing restrictions, which oblige people to remain in their residential area, are the main reason the government seeks to extend the state of emergency for another 30 days beyond March 28.

MPs have been debating extending the state of emergency and are set to vote on the move on Friday. The minority coalition of ANO and the Social Democrats needs some opposition backing to push it through. The Communists leadership say they will recommend that the party’s MPs vote for a two-week extension.

Nearly all anti-coronavirus measures, apart from the restriction of freedom of movement and the evening curfew, could also be covered by the pandemic law, i.e. without an emergency, Blatný said. If all goes as hoped, he told reporters, the restriction of movement between districts can be lifted in the week after Easter.