Do you remember when you looked forward to the summer holidays as a kid and counted how many days were left before they started? Well, you don’t need to count anymore because the holidays are coming very soon! The Czech Republic has eased the measures for travelling from European Union countries. You can finally plan your holiday! The gates of historic sights all over the country are open, you can look forward to medieval castles and Baroque châteaux, as well as trips to nature reserves.
Conditions for entry to the territory of the Czech Republic (as of 15 June 2020)
Starting on 15 June, you can come to the Czech Republic as a tourist if you are from the green labelled EU or Schengen zone countries. You no longer need to show a negative Covid-19 test on the borders and quarantine won't be required. If you are from an orange or red labelled country on the map, a test is still required on the borders. The countries are divided according to risk in relation to the Covid-19 virus by the Czech Ministry of Health.The map is available here.
Green – low risk
Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Iceland, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Germany, Norway, Poland - most of the territory, Austria, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Spain.
Foreigners entering the Czech Republic from countries listed below must be in possession of a recent Covid-19 test:
Orange – medium risk
Belgium, Great Britain
Red – high risk
Portugal, Sweden, Silesian region of Poland, All other countries
Czech citizens and foreigners with long-term residency in the Czech Republic must show their test results upon return from red (high risk) countries only. If the traveller does not have their test results at hand, they are required to be quarantined.
Current information on entry to the territory of the Czech Republic is available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic:
https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/docDetail.aspx?docid=22239932&doctype=ART
RESTRICTIONS:
Face masks are required:
- In all building interiors, that is in the authorities, cultural sights, restaurants (unless you are eating or drinking)
- In public transport (including taxi)
- Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres
The following is recommended when entering restaurants, cafés and bars:
- Disinfect your hands upon entry
- Maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres from the staff and other customers
- Only remove your face mask when eating or drinking
- Pay by card, preferably contactless, whenever possible
Status quo as of June 8
On 17 May 2020, the state of emergency in the Czech Republic ended. In May, there were 9,628 people infected with COVID-19 out of the almost 11 million citizens, and 327 people had died. The total number of people who had recovered from COVID‑19 was 6,891.
Hotels, restaurants, shops, exchange offices and tourist information centres are open. Their operation is restricted and there are measures in place to protect visitors and employees. Taxis are also in service.
Public transport all over the country operates under the standard regime, however, passengers are required to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouths for the duration of their ride. Face masks, respirators and protective gloves can be purchased at any pharmacy and in medical facilities.
Brno public transport https://www.dpmb.cz/en/novinky/all
Ostrava public transport https://www.dpo.cz/o-spolecnosti/povinne-udaje/151-dpo/english/112-public-transport-in-ostrava.html
České dráhy (Czech Railway) https://www.cd.cz/en/
Air traffic is gradually being restored. See current information on the website of Václav Havel Airport in Prague https://www.prg.aero/en#/ or Brno Airport http://www.brno-airport.cz/en/
Castles, châteaux, museums and galleries are open to the public. In each of the fourteen regions of the Czech Republic you can visit dozens of historical sites, including châteaux and castles that are presented in the UNESCO list. See current information on the website of the National Heritage Institute: https://www.npu.cz/en/NPU-and-heritage-conservation/NPU-the-institution/news
It is required to wear face masks and keep a distance of two metres in the interior. Disinfectants are available everywhere. The number of visitors in the individual monuments and facilities is limited according to the size of the place.
INFO BOX – new coronavirus and COVID-19 disease
If you believe you are suffering from any symptoms of COVID-19 (shortness of breath, cough, temperature over 37 degrees Celsius, pain in muscles, headache, tiredness) call line 112 and consult the situation with medical staff, who speak English, German and French.COVID-19 testing requires payment, the maximum price of which is CZK 1,756 (EUR 65). Foreigners can have the test done at the following medical facilities:
Military University Hospital Prague – https://www.uvn.cz/en/
University Hospital Bohunice in Brno – https://www.fnbrno.cz/en/the-university-hospital-brno/t1000
University Hospital Ostrava – https://eng.fno.cz/
or contact international info line 112.
Information of the government of the Czech Republic as regards fighting the infection
Summary of government measures in English: https://www.vlada.cz/en/media-centrum/aktualne/measures-adopted-by-the-czech-government-against-coronavirus-180545/
Details on the conditions of tourist entry are available on the website of the embassy of the country from which you are planning to arrive:
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Czech Republic https://prag.diplo.de/cz-de
Embassy of the Republic of Austria in the Czech Republic https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-prag/
Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in the Czech Republic https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/czech-republic/de/home/vertretungen/botschaft.html
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the Czech Republic https://www.gov.pl/web/czechy
Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Czech Republic https://czech.mid.ru/ru_RU/
Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic https://www.cz.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the Czech Republic https://www.praga.embaixadaportugal.mne.pt/pt/
Embassy of the French Republic in the Czech Republic https://cz.ambafrance.org/-Francais-
Embassy of the Italian Republic in the Czech Republic https://ambpraga.esteri.it/ambasciata_praga/it/
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Czech Republic http://www.chinaembassy.cz/chn/
Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in the Czech Republic http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/PRAGA/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx
Embassy of Great Britain in the Czech Republic https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-prague
Embassy of the USA in Prague https://cz.usembassy.gov/
