Seznam Zprávy: Pubs and bars could be open past 10pm on New Year’s Eve

The ongoing state of emergency put in place by the government to combat the coronavirus epidemic and allowing it to put in place counter-measures such as the mandatory closing of gastronomy businesses after 10pm is set to end on December 26. While the health minister of the incoming government, which is set to be officially named on Friday, has stated that extending the state of emergency will be a priority subject of discussion, politicians from the future ruling coalition that were questioned by news site Seznam Zprávy have said that they are not counting on extending it, unless there is an increase in coronavirus cases.

With the fifth wave of the epidemic currently in decline in Czechia, this could mean that bars, pubs and restaurants would remain open during the night-time New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The news site reminds that if the state of emergency would be extended, the motion would first have to pass through the Chamber of Deputies. However, no extraordinary session of the Czech lower-house of Parliament is planned for next week.