Award-giving ceremony at Prague Castle to be held without audience

The traditional award-giving ceremony at Prague Castle marking Czechoslovak Independence Day on October 28 should be held without an audience, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš told journalists after his meeting with President Miloš Zeman on Tuesday.

He said Mr. Zeman had agreed to hand-out high state distinctions with only the recipients present, minus family, politicians and invited members of the public.

Plans for the award-giving ceremony were criticized by the opposition which argued that the President’s Office should adhere to the coronavirus safety measures just like everyone else. As of Wednesday the cap on the number of people allowed to meet will be reduced to six.

President Zeman wants the ceremony to take place, albeit with restrictions, arguing that to cancel the event would indicate a lack of respect for the country‘s history and traditions.