Travel Restrictions for Travel to/From Czech Republic – COVID-19
| ENTRY TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC | FROM SAFE COUNTRY | FROM RISK COUNTRY** |
| Czech citizen | YES, compulsory quarantine in case of disease symptoms | YES, compulsory quarantine |
| Foreigner with residence permit in Czech Republic (staying outside Czech Republic when the state of emergency was declared) | YES, compulsory quarantine in case of disease symptoms | YES, compulsory quarantine |
| Foreigner (tourist) | NO ENTRY | NO ENTRY |
| EXIT FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC | TO SAFE COUNTRY | TO RISK COUNTRY** |
| Czech citizen | NO EXIT (only citizens with residence permit in destination country) | NO EXIT (only for citizens with residence permit in destination country) |
| Foreigner with residence permit in Czech Republic | YES (without possibility to return during the state of emergency) | YES (without possibility to return during the state of emergency) |
| Foreigner (tourist) | YES (without possibility to return during the state of emergency) | YES (without possibility to return during the state of emergency) |
Foreigners will not be able to enter the country for the next 30 days, as of 13th March 2020 from 2 PM. The declaration, prolongation and cancellation of the state of emergency shall be announced as usually, through mass media. It is expected that ban will be prolonged.
To see list of exceptions for travel in the Czech Republic during the state of emergency, visit this link.
For more information about borders of the Czech Republic during the state of emergency, visit this link.
**List of risk countries according to information from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic can be found here.
Useful resources:
· Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Czech government has declared State of Emergency. Among other things, it introduces a complete ban on travel. Below is a list of frequently asked questions.
All information is subject to changed.
FAQ
I’m a tourist in the Czech Republic. Does the travel ban apply to me?
No, tourists have no restrictions on their ability to depart from the Czech Republic.
I’m a student in the Czech Republic. Does the travel ban apply to me?
No, as a student you may choose to return to your home country at any time. If you choose to do so at this time, you will be allowed to depart from the Czech Republic but will not be allowed back in until the travel ban has been lifted.
Does the ban on travel apply to air transit passengers?
No, however, the Czech government indicated that interpretation of this may change. But due to the very limited flights in operation, air transit is not likely to be possible.
How are affected cross-border workers?
For up to date information visit government website.
Are restaurants open in the Czech Republic?
No, restaurants are closed except takeaway shops and food deliveries. Many restaurants have responded to this and are newly offering food for takeaway and deliveries.
When are shops, pharmacies and banks open?
All shops which can provide their services can be opened from 6am till 8pm. There might be exceptions, such as gas stations, emergency pharmacies, etc. Also please note that from 8am to 10am, grocery stores, drugstores and post offices are allowing entry only to elderly persons from 65 years and older. The goal is to reduce contact and crowding, so this has led to significantly more people coming in the morning. The second reason is because pensioners are the most vulnerable, so it makes sense to come to stores right after opening, when there is no one there yet.
Please note that banks and post offices are providing services only during limited times; for example, from 10am to 2pm. It is a good idea to check current opening times online, as they might vary.
What does the state of emergency mean for tourists?
After declaring a 30-day state of emergency on Sunday (15 March 2020), the government decided that starting on Monday (16 March), people would only be allowed to leave home for work, to buy food and visit their family members in urgent cases. Generally, all establishments except supermarkets, pharmacies, locksmith services and repairs of household appliances and products are likely to be closed. It is expected that ban will be prolonged.
All gatherings of more than two people in public are forbidden with the exception of members of the same household, essential work reasons, or funerals.
Public events including masses, theatres and other cultural events are banned.
Communal play and exercise areas inside parks will also be shut down, but not parks themselves.
Places of worship such as churches and mosques must also shut, except to host for funerals.
Citizens are forced to wear protective masks in public and when in public, people should stand at least 2 meters apart.
Are flights at Prague Airport still operating?
Most airlines operating at Prague Airport have cancelled or reduced most of their scheduled flights. It might be possible that soon based on the coronavirus development there will be no scheduled flights, as more airlines are grounding their airplanes.
Are all taxi services suspended?
The taxi ban only applies to drivers without taxi licenses, which affects some ride share applications. Taxi services are authorized for use within the scope of government quarantine guidelines (for example, to go to work, to procure food, to go to a medical appointment, and other purposes as defined by the government).
Are hotels and other accommodation opened?
All accommodation establishments are generally prohibited from providing accommodation services. However, this prohibition does not apply to accommodating foreigners until they leave the territory of the Czech Republic and foreigners with a work permit in the Czech Republic. Accommodation establishments can continue to provide accommodation services, but only to these foreigners and to Czech citizens who will require accommodation for the purpose of business or other similar activity.
What happens if I’m unable to leave the Czech Republic before my visa or residency expires?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide an exemption during the 30-day declaration of emergency to all travelers that are unable to depart due to difficulties or lack of availability of transportation. Please see the specific information from the Ministry of the Interior included below.
Foreigners, who were legally on the Czech territory at the moment of the declaration of the state of emergency, may continue to remain for the duration of the state of emergency without any need to resolve their residency status issues. In case of short-term visa, they are prolonged automatically without necessary to contact our authorities, in case of long-term visa/residence permit over 90 days, the prolongation requests should be done by post or electronically, but not personally.
What should I expect if I’m a foreigner with resident permit of the Czech Republic and I need to travel abroad?
If you are leaving for a temporary period (while the state of emergency is in place) and plan to travel to a banned country, you will be turned around at the airport or land border crossing. You will be allowed to travel to a safe country or to a banned country via air transit. Air transit is not covered by the ban, so you could perform air transit through one of the banned countries. As noted, this is subject to change. Transit by land is banned.
Flight prices have increased beyond my ability to pay. What should I do?
Travelers are expected to cover the cost of their travel. You might try to contact your embassy or consulate for advice/help.
For how long will there be travel restrictions and quarantine measures in the Czech Republic?
That’s hard to say. Strict quarantine measures will begin to be released no earlier than mid-April 2020, if the infection slows down. The borders and travel restrictions might remain in effect for months, if not years. In some parts of the world, the disease may persist for a year or two, and the inability to travel may be just as long.
I need to visit doctor. How to arrange appointment?
General practitioners who lack facemasks and respirators have been advised not to attend to patients and restrict their activity to providing on-line services and e-prescriptions. Even doctors who have protective gear may not see you without an appointment. If you feel you have coronavirus symptoms or any other pressing health problems, contact your GP or respective hygiene office. People have been asked to put off visits to the doctor is at all possible.
