Govt approves raft of tougher anti-Covid measures effective as of November

The Czech government has approved a package of measures Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (independent) argued were necessary to combat a surge in new Covid-19 infections.

In recent weeks, the number of new infections has steadily risen, with the incidence rate now at 117 per 100,000.

The stricter measures come into force on November 1 and include requiring pubs and restaurants to monitor compliance, Vojtěch said following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

FFP2-type respirators will also be made mandatory in workplaces, and in regions where the Covid-19 infection rate is highest, children over the age of 12 must wear facemasks when in class.

Furthermore, health insurance companies will reimburse for the costs of testing for children and adolescents up to the age of 18. There are no plans, however, to reduce the timeframe for the validity of negative Covid-19 test certificates.