Health Minister Válek urged Czechs to limit social interactions during holiday season

The newly appointed Minister of Health, Vlastimil Válek, has called on Czechs to limit their contacts and to "refrain from excessive partying" during the holiday season to minimize the spread of Covid-19. He also said he wanted to address the waiting times for elective surgeries in hospitals and return them to pre-Covid levels.

The new government headed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Friday decided to let the state of emergency expire on December 25. That means pubs and restaurants will be allowed to stay open after 10 pm and consumption of alcohol in public will be permitted again.

However, Prime Minister Fiala said the cabinet would continue to monitor the situation and respond in the event of need.