Coronavirus (COVID-19) News, Measures and Restrictions for Prague
The information below is tailored for tourist visitors planning a trip to Prague during the COVID pandemic.
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Current restrictions and measures
A state of emergency applies in the Czech Republic. The country is in lockdown until 11th April 2021. The measures are likely to be extended.
Respirators (FFP2/KN 95) are mandatory in shops and shopping centers, services, on all forms of public transport, at public transport stops, on platforms and in waiting rooms, at airports, in health and social service facilities, inside official buildings, at post offices, in pharmacies, in cars (members of more than one household), and in a workplace, unless alone in a room.
Medical masks or respirators are mandatory in the built-up area of cities.
Children between two and 15 must wear at least a surgical face mask.
Homemade masks are no longer sufficient.
Everyone is encouraged to wash hands frequently, avoid crowded spaces and large gatherings, and generally behave in a responsible manner to minimize risks.
Free Movement, Curfew and Gatherings
Free movement is limited to district area. It is forbidden to leave the district of permanent residence. The exception is a fundamental reason, such as a trip to work, an office, a doctor or to secure necessary needs or care of relatives. An official form stating the reason for the purpose of leaving the district is mandatory. Employer’s confirmation is needed for commuting to work in another district.
Only necessary trips, such as shopping, walks and sports are allowed.
Visits to relatives including the ones living within the district of the place of residence are allowed only to secure necessary needs or care.
The night-time curfew applies from 9 pm to 5 am.
Dog walking at night is allowed within 500 meters of residence.
Social distancing – the maximum number of people who may meet in public places is two, except for household members. Gatherings of more than two people are banned, except families.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited.
The capacity of churches is reduced to 10 percent.
Shops and Services
Shops and services are generally required to be closed. An exception is made for the following essential services:
supermarkets and food and drink shops, pharmacies, drugstores, newspaper and tobacco shops, gas stations, pet supplies stores, opticians, towing services, florists, shipping services, pickup points for packages, etc.
The closing time is set at 9 pm. Sunday sale is permitted. The capacity of shopping centers and retail stores is limited to one person per 15 square meters, while maintaining a spacing of two meters.
All online shops and services operate as usual. Some retail shops like DIY stores (hardware stores) have certain sections open for the general public, while other sections are only for business customers and self-employed traders.
Restaurants, Pubs and Cafés
Gastronomic facilities are closed. Takeaway sale, with the exception of alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption, is permitted, and the closing time is set at 9 pm. Persons who consume purchased meals and beverages in the immediate vicinity of the facility are obliged to keep a distance of at least two meters from other persons, unless they are household members.
Online food delivery and delivery of groceries work as usual.
Hotels and Other Accommodation Facilities
Hotels, pensions and other facilities may accommodate domestic and foreign guests solely for the purpose of business travel. People traveling to another city to see a doctor can also be accommodated.
Museums, Galleries, Exhibitions, Castles, Sights
Museums, galleries, monuments, exhibition spaces, fairs, castles, chateaux, observatories, planetariums, zoological and botanical gardens are closed.
Cultural Events
Cultural events continue to take place without the presence of spectators. Concerts and other musical, theatrical, film and artistic performances, including circuses and variety shows with the presence of spectators, are prohibited.
Sports Facilities
Indoor sports grounds are closed. Groups of a maximum of two persons are allowed to train at outdoor sports grounds. Pools, fitness centers and wellness centers are closed.
Health Services
If you think you might be ill with the Coronavirus and have flu-like symptoms like dry cough, fever, joint pain, please call the Coronavirus hotlines:
National Institute of Public Health
+420 724810106 or + 420 725191367
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
+420 224 181 111 or + 420 224182425
Czech national emergency number for all health emergencies
112 (English) or 155
COVID Testing Centers
If you are required by Czech Government measures to have a COVID-19 test upon your arrival in the Czech Republic, or if you are experiencing symptoms, fortunately testing is widely available across Prague and the rest of the country.
More information about testing facilities at Prague Airport can be found here.
For online COVID test booking visit https://www.covidpass.cz or https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/seznam-odberovych-center/ for listing of COVID test locations.
International Travel Restrictions. Who Can Visit Prague?
As of 30 January 2021, all non-essential travel to the Czech Republic is banned, regardless of which country (green, orange or red) you are traveling from.
You may visit Prague and the Czech Republic if both of the following conditions apply:
– your trip is “essential”
(i.e. for work, education, an essential family visit, medical appointment or wedding).
– you come from a “permitted” country.
Normal tourist visits are banned.
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For foreign nationals, the Czech Republic has adopted the EU’s so-called travel traffic-light system:
Green Countries
Nationals of the following ARE permitted to enter the Czech Republic for only essential reasons without restrictions (without an arrival form, Coronavirus test or quarantine):
Australia, Iceland, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vatican.
Orange Countries
Nationals of the following ARE permitted to enter the Czech Republic with an arrival form + negative PCR COVID-19 or antigen test done in their home country before travel (maximum 48 hours old):
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Azores, Balearic Islands.
Red Countries
Nationals of the following ARE permitted to enter the Czech Republic with an arrival form + negative PCR COVID-19 or antigen test done in their home country before travel (within 48 hours of travel) + 2nd test (PCR COVID-19) done in the Czech Republic (within five days of arrival) + quarantine until 2nd test results are in:
Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Romania, Greece, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Canary Islands, Madeira.
Dark Red Countries
Nationals of the following ARE permitted to enter the Czech Republic with an arrival form + negative PCR COVID-19 test done in their home country before travel (within 48 hours of travel) + 2nd test (PCR COVID-19) done in the Czech Republic (at the earliest five days after arrival) + quarantine until 2nd test results are in:
UK, EU nationals not listed above, including Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Monaco, San Marino.
Nationals of other countries ARE NOT permitted to enter the Czech Republic.
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Czech nationals ARE permitted to travel abroad and re-enter the Czech Republic:
Where foreign nationals can enter the Czech Republic without restrictions (see above), Czech nationals returning from abroad can do the same. Otherwise, Czech nationals may be subject to a Coronavirus test or 10-day quarantine.
The reopening of the borders is an ever-changing situation, and the rules governing who can visit and what travelers need to do are becoming ever more complicated.
As we have done throughout this crisis, Prague Experience will endeavor to update this page with news of the latest developments in as simple a form as possible. Having said this, we do urge visitors to double check their individual eligibility to travel and to enter the Czech Republic with your travel provider before finalizing your arrangements.
Arrival Form
Visitors are required to complete an electronic arrival form prior to the planned trip.
PCR COVID-19 and Antigen Tests
Passengers who need a PCR COVID-19 or antigen test done in advance of travel are required to take the test within 48 hours of travel and bring the results with them.
Passengers who need a PCR COVID-19 test done in the Czech Republic can choose from various testing facilities in Prague. You will need to go into quarantine until you take the test and receive the results.
If you are in any doubt as to whether you need a PCR COVID-19 test in order to travel, we recommend checking with your travel provider or airline, or with relevant Czech authorities.
Useful Resources About the Current COVID-19 Situation
Official Czech COVID Portal www.covid.gov.cz/en
Government of Czech Republic www.vlada.cz/en/
Prague City Portal https://www.prague.eu/en
Ministry of Health of Czech Republic https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/en/
US Embassy in Prague https://cz.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/
UK Embassy https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/czech-republic/coronavirus
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