Lower house votes to extend state of emergency until November 20

The lower house of Parliament has voted to extend the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until November 20. The present state of emergency was announced in the country on October 5 and is in place until November 3rd.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the extension was necessary to keep in place the emergency measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, including restriction of free movement and closure of non-essential businesses and services.

The government’s original proposal for an extension until December 3 did not win approval.