Expat Handbook: COVID-19 edition

• Last update: 02.06.2021

Current emergency measures

Free movement

Meetings and leisure activities: From Monday, May 31, the limit for indoor activities, sports, gatherings or celebrations is 75 people indoors and 150 outdoors.

Night curfew: As the state of emergency ended, the night curfew between 21:00 and 5:00 has been lifted.

Consumption of alcohol in publicly available places is no longer banned.

Restrictions on movement between districts:  It is not necessary to have any documents to leave the district. The ban on movement between districts was lifted as the state of emergency ended.

Face masks and respirators

It is mandatory to wear a respirator (or technically equally effective device) everywhere indoors. You have to wear a respirator in shops, businesses, public transport, motor vehicles (unless you are a member of the same household), medical facilities, international airports and on the platforms.

It is not mandatory to wear face protection outdoors anymore unless someone is around in a two-meter radius. 

Respiratory protection is mandatory in the workplace, except for people alone in the room. Employers who require their employees to remain in the workplace should supply themselves with respirators and are obliged to provide them to their employees. 

Exceptions to wearing face masks and respirators: You do not have to wear a face mask at home or in other areas of the accommodation (e.g. hotels on business trips). Indoors or outdoors, face masks do not need to be worn by children under the age of 2 (including), people with intellectual disabilities and severe mental disorders, or professional athletes during training. Face masks do not have to be worn even in the countryside outside the city, as long as the distance of at least 2 meters is observed. Children under 15 can wear a surgical face mask instead of a respirator. Persons from the same household are also excluded from the obligation to wear a face mask. 

Cloth face masks, homemade masks or scarves are no longer considered sufficient.

Conditions and testing in companies

Home office: If possible, you should continue to work from home.

Meals: Company meals are allowed. The operator must not allow more people than the number of seats in the indoor dining areas. There can be a maximum of four people at one table and there must be 1.5 meter spacing between the tables. More people can sit at a long table, but in groups of four, with two-meter spacings between them.

Testing: From the beginning of March, the employees’ obligatory testing has been progressing gradually from the largest companies to the smallest ones. Now, it involves all companies, including those with less than ten employees, NGOs, OSVČ (self-employed persons), people working on a contract basis, or public institutions – e.g. municipalities, public universities, security forces and the army, among others. For the self-employed, testing only applies to those who meet other people at work.

There are several ways for the companies to test their employees – either with the help of an occupational physician, contracted paramedics or a self-test, with which the test can be performed by a non-paramedic or an employee himself. Antigen testing performed by a healthcare professional is paid for by the state. The government will contribute CZK 60 four times a month to testing for one employee.

The government has agreed to mandatory testing by the end of June. From June 1, two PCR tests and four antigen tests will be provided to everyone for free.

Shops, services and culture

Open shops: All retail stores can be open. There is a limit to the number of customers in the store  – maximum one customer per 15 square meters.

Open services: From Monday, May 3, body care services and dog salons are open. From May 10,  other services also opened (craft services, shoe repair shops, second-hand car shops, rental shops, translation services, mediation, operation of solariums, travel agencies, auctions, pawn shops, publishing, copying, operation of cable cars, tattoo parlors, watchmaking, goldsmithing, or carpentry).

A negative test is required for entry: either from a certified sampling point or from a job. For children who are tested at school and do not have a certificate, parents can submit a solemn declaration. The PCR test is valid for one week, the antigen test can be up to 72 hours old.

Museums, galleries and monuments: From May 10, they are open in all regions. From Monday, May 31, group tours for up to ten people or up to 30 people with confirmation are able to take place.

Theatres, cinemas and concert halls are open but it is not possible to consume food or drinks inside.

Zoos and botanical gardens: Can have open outdoor spaces for 50 per cent of their capacity.

Libraries can be open, but only one person per 15 square meters can be present. 

Outdoor cultural events: It is possible to organize outdoor events for a maximum of 1,000 visitors and indoor events for up to half of the possible capacity (maximum 500 people), under the conditions of providing a negative test, confirmation of vaccination or antibodies. Wearing face protection is still mandatory.

From Monday, May 31, 250 people are able to attend congresses and conferences indoors and outdoors and group tours will be possible at trade fairs (veletrhy).

Restaurants and hotels

Restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés opened their outdoor sitting, starting from May 17. Maximum of four people can sit at the table unless they are members of the same household. The spacing between the individual tables must be at least 1.5 meters.

Interiors of the restaurants, bars and clubs are open from Monday 31 May, however, strict epidemiological measures still apply and the number of guests is limited to the number of seats.

Since May 24, hotels and other accommodation facilities have opened their premises. People with the first dose of vaccination can be accommodated, as well as those who have suffered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days and have a doctor’s certificate. Another option is a test not older than 48 hours. Tested people can stay for a maximum of 7 days, if they want to extend their stay, they must pass another test.

Schools

Since May 24, full-time teaching has been operating in all primary schools. Teaching at secondary schools and universities is also renewed.

Testing: Starting Monday, April 12, mandatory weekly antigen testing applies to both school staff and children. It is now possible to test children once every 14 days by PCR tests. Fully vaccinated people and those who have had COVID-19 in the previous 90 days do not have to be tested. An exception for testing applies to children in kindergartens.

Accommodation: Students can stay and live in dormitories.

Meals: Canteen (jídelna) operation is allowed. There can be a maximum of four people at one table and there must be a distance of 1.5 meters between the tables.

Driving schools: Final exams and teaching in driving schools are allowed without limits. Negative COVID tests are not mandatory, however, respirators still are.

Sport

Fitness centers and gyms: From May 17, their operation is possible. From May 24, the limit of one person per 15 square meters applies, a maximum of 12 people can train in a group, a maximum of 30 people can be in the establishment at once. The condition for entry is a negative test, roof that you have already experienced COVID-19 or the first dose of vaccination (three weeks after its application). Showers and changing rooms can be used again.

Pools and wellness facilities: Outdoor pools can open up to a maximum of 50% capacity. Confirmation of vaccination, proof that you have already experienced COVID-19 or negative test will be required at the facility. However, wellness can operate only to provide health services for now.

Professional sports: Professional sports activities are allowed, however, athletes and implementation teams must be regularly tested.

Amateur sports: All team sports competitions are suspended. Up to 30 people can play sports at once. There can be a maximum of two people under the age of 18 indoors.

Social and medical facilities

Hospital visits: The government has allowed visits to hospitals. Visitors need to demonstrate a negative PCR test or a professionally collected antigen test (up to 48 hours). The visitor must have a respirator on at all times, a surgical face mask is sufficient for children under 15 years of age.

Childbirth: It is possible for a partner to be a part of childbirth, however, several conditions must be met. As a support person, you have to be a parent or a person living with the mother in the same household. At the same time, you cannot have a fever, show any signs of COVID-19 and you must wear a surgical face mask.

Visiting an aftercare or long-term care facility: It is possible if the visitor is tested before arrival. You can do so either directly in the device (an antigen test), or by providing a negative PCR test result not older than 48 hours. Another option is to prove that you have already experienced COVID-19 in the last 90 days. A respirator must be worn throughout the whole visit (children under 15 may have a surgical face mask).

Visits to social facilities: The same conditions apply as for visits to aftercare and long-term care facilities.

Visits to prisons: Visits are allowed under certain conditions.

Non-acute care: Medical facilities had to suspend the provision of non-acute and preventive (planned) care. For specific cases, contact the hospital or polyclinic where the procedure was to take place.

Provision of social services: Social services provided based on a contract between the facility and the client do not have to be provided to the full extent during the emergency (under the contract). The facility must inform the client about the temporary restriction. However, services to protect life and health must always be provided. When providing field services, all participants must wear a respirator or surgical face mask.

Walks: Seniors who go for a walk outside the social facility have so far had to undergo the quarantine and two PCR tests after their return. An exception is now given to seniors who already have 14 days after the end of the vaccination cycle, ie after the second dose of the vaccine. They must also not show signs of disease.

Authorities and other institutions

Office hours: Public institutions should operate normally and without restrictions. 

Personal contact: Authorities prefer written, electronic or telephone contact to personal contact to reduce the risk of infection. However, the possibility of personal contact is maintained. It is mandatory to wear a respirator indoors.

Expired documents: The technical inspection of a vehicle (technická kontrola vozidla) is automatically extended for 10 months from the end of its original validity throughout the European Union. The measure concerns documents that expired between September 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. The same regulation with the same deadlines applies to driving licenses.

This measure does not apply to identity cards and passports. Even in times of emergency, it is necessary to request the issuance of new documents.

Prague City Hall: At the Prague City Hall, strict hygiene measures still apply, including limited access to its buildings. The official office hours are on Monday and Wednesday, always from 8:00 to 18:00.

Register of drivers and register of vehicles: Office hours at these offices are extended to Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 to 18:00, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 to 15:00 and Friday from 8:00 to 11:00 (Friday office hours are valid only for the Vyšehrad and Bohdalec offices).

Agendas of the City of Prague Services Department: Some counters at the Škoda Palace, such as CzechPOINT, verification, department of registries and citizenship, and registration of taxi vehicles, are open whole week – on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8.00 to 18.00, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 to 15:00, and on Friday from 8.00 to 11:00.

We recommend that you continue to use online reservations to visit these workplaces. At the same time, we would like to ask you to still use, if possible, remote means of communication with the City Hall, such as e-mail, telephone, or data box.

Vaccination against COVID-19 in the Czech Republic has been taking place since December 2020. Vaccination is voluntary and the vaccine is covered by public health insurance, therefore, it is free for both Czech and foreign nationals. Only EMA-approved vaccines are used in the Czech Republic. More information about available vaccines can be found here or here.

Am I eligible for the vaccine in the Czech Republic?

The Central Registration System is available for the following groups:

• people older than 80 years of age
• healthcare professionals
• non-medical staff involved in the provision of health care and care for COVID-19 positive persons
• people aged 70 – 79 years
• pedagogical and non-pedagogical workers
• critical infrastructure staff
• people with chronic diseases
• workers in social services
• technical and economic staff (THP workers) in health facilities
• people caring for a person in III. or IV. degree of dependence
• people aged 65 – 69
• people aged 60-64
• university academic staff
• people aged 40 – 59 years
• people aged 35 – 39 years – started May 24
• people aged 30 – 34 years – started May 26
• people aged 16 – 29 years – started June 4

Alternatively, registration through general practitioners is possible for people over the age of 30 who are not registered at vaccination sites and persons with a serious chronic disease who do not meet the age conditions.

Vaccination for foreigners

Foreign nationals living in the Czech Republic are entitled to vaccination, which is covered by public health insurance, in the following cases:

• You are insured in the Czech public health insurance system (by your employer or on the basis of European coordination regulations). In that case, you can register for vaccination using your insurance number.
• If you are insured in another EU country and are exercising your rights to benefits as an EU national living and/or working in an EU country other than your own, therefore, you are entitled to full medical care in the Czech Republic (you hold an S1 form that entitles you and any dependants to healthcare in another EU country on the same basis as a resident of that country). Then, you can register for vaccination using the insurance number, which is usually assigned after the auxiliary registration.
• If you are insured in another EU state and are in the Czech Republic, according to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to the necessary care and you are registered with the Czech health insurance company according to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Again, your registration will take place using the insurance number you can obtain from your Czech health insurance company. You must carry out the so-called auxiliary registration with one of the seven Czech health insurance companies.

What if that does not apply to me?

Vaccination of other groups of foreigners according to their status is currently the subject of negotiations.

If you have comprehensive commercial health insurance with PVZP, you will be fully reimbursed for the vaccination from this insurance. 

NEWSFLASH: According to the latest information from the Ministry of Health, the vaccination registration system should finally open to foreigners without public insurance at midnight from Thursday, June 10,  to Friday, June 11. Gabriela Štěpanyová, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health, confirmed this information, stating that foreigners who are not in the Czech public health care system but have lived here for a long time will now be able to register. The registration system at registrace.mzcr.cz will be available in English and will work the same for everyone – Czechs and foreigners alike (currently open to people over 16). At the end of June, according to the chief hygienist Pavla Svrčinová, the 12+ category could also open and it will also apply to foreigners living in the Czech Republic. So far, expats without public health insurance cannot be vaccinated through general practitioners.

The reservation system will offer designated vaccination points, which will provide English-speaking staff and allow on-the-spot payment for vaccination. There will be at least one such vaccination site designated in each region and up to six of them established in Prague. For example, in Prague, foreigners are to be vaccinated at the Motol University Hospital and the Královské Vinohrady University Hospital, however, it depends on the possibilities of payment on the spot and on the language skills of the staff. The Thomayer University Hospital also announced a launch of vaccinations for self-payers who are not insured with a Czech health insurance company, starting from July 1, 2021. 

In vaccination centres, expats will only receive a two-dose vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech and the price of one dose of the vaccine should not exceed CZK 810. Payment will always be made on the spot, even if you have commercial insurance. The reimbursement can be then arranged additionally with your insurance company in accordance with the rules of the insurance.

How to register for a vaccine?

Information needed for registration

Most of the information you enter is the same for everyone:

• Name
• Surname
• Insurance number
• Insurance company number
• A place of permanent residence
• E-mail (optional)
• Phone
• Preferred vaccination centre

You will also need additional information, but this already varies according to the group to which you belong:

• if you register on the basis of belonging to an age group, tick which group it is and the insurance number will be sufficient for confirmation;
• if you register according to your job (teachers, health professionals, …), you will need a special registration code given by your employer (they will also decide whether you are entitled to vaccination, however, it is not their obligation to give you a code – the risk of exposure to the disease and age of the employee are usually taken into account), you will then have to take a written confirmation from the employer with you to the vaccination centre;
• if you register as a chronic patient, your doctor will decide if your medical condition requires priority vaccination and if so, will give you a special registration code; then you will have to take a medical report (e.g. from your last doctor’s visit) with you to the vaccination centre.

Step 1: Registration for vaccination

Registration for vaccination takes place through the central reservation system: registration.mzcr.cz.

The first step is registration. First, you will be asked to fill in your phone number (click on the blue button “Zadat telefonní číslo” and confirm your consent to the processing of personal data). You will then receive an SMS message with the verification code (PIN1). After filling in this code, you will enter information about yourself (name, permanent residence, birth number, number and name of your health insurance company) and select the place where you want to get vaccinated. You can choose a vaccination centre that suits your needs or is close to where you live from the list of vaccination centres in Prague.

If you find that you have entered incorrect information, go to registrace.mzcr.cz/detail, where you can manage the registration. However, please note that once you enter your phone number, it is not possible to change it, so make sure you fill it in correctly.

Step 2: Booking the appointment

The second step is booking the appointment. After registration, it can take minutes or days for you to receive an invitation SMS. This is because each vaccination site manages its capacities and invites registered candidates only when it has the vaccine ready. When the vaccination centre of your choice has an opening, you will receive an invitation SMS message with the PIN2 code. After entering this code, you will book an appointment. An invitation SMS means that the vaccine site has free doses of vaccine available. The vaccination appointment can be created at: rezervace.mzcr.cz.

IMPORTANT! Reservation of the appointment must be made within 72 hours of receiving PIN 2 and is not possible without an invitation SMS. If you do not book the appointment up to 72 hours at that moment offered by the deadline expires. If for any reason you do not make a reservation within 72 hours, you are returned to the register of those interested in vaccinations and are waiting for a new invitation SMS. You can be returned to the registration a maximum of three times, after which your registration will expire.

Depending on the type of vaccine, your vaccination will take place on one or two appointments. The reservation concerns only the date of administration of the first dose of the vaccine, an appointment for a second dose will be assigned automatically. For your vaccination appointment, you have to bring your ID card and insurance card with you.

Further information and a detailed description of the registration process is available at the official city websites ockovani.praha.eu. More information about the next and final step – carrying out the vaccination at the vaccination point, can be found at the Covid Portal websites.

More information and useful links

For more information, you can call the free Prague vaccination helpline 800 160 166. The helpline is open on working days: on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 AM to 6 PM; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 3 PM; and on Fridays from 8 AM to 2:30 PM.

If you have any questions or problems with the registration, you can contact the Assistance hotline 1221, which is available every day from 8 AM to 7 PM, where they can also help with registration and reservation if you do not have internet, for example. Moreover, you can e-mail in support of the Central Reservation System at covid-podpora@nakit.cz.

If you have undergone a vaccination abroad and you interested in the eligibility of this vaccination in the Czech Republic, read the opinion of the Czech Vaccinological Society (Czech only).

• Frequently asked questions to the Ministry of Health (Covid Portal)
• Vaccination at GPs’ surgeries (ockovani.praha.eu)
• The Metropolitan Vaccination Centre Prague (ockovani.praha.eu)

Covid-19 information: where to find it?

Knowing where to find reliable Covid-19-related information during the times of information overload and fake news might be sometimes overwhelming. The Expat Centre Prague gathered available information and created a list of trustworthy English sources. The websites below provide information about the current situation, state of emergency, government measures and other subjects related to Covid-19.

Central coronavirus information line 1221

Line 1221 is designed for public inquiries related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is open every weekday from 8:00 to 19:00, on weekends from 9:00 to 16:30. Inquiries from the public will be answered by trained medics. In regular shifts, almost a hundred of medically trained staff take turns on the line.

The operators of this line will give you answers to questions from the following areas:

• Travel
• Results of my tests
• Health problems
• Risk contact
• Quarantine
• Emergency measures currently in force

Hygienic station Prague

WEBSITE (Czech only) – PHONE NUMBER: 227 272 065

Praha.eu

WEBSITE – IMPORTANT NOTICES

The official portal of the City of Prague gathered essential information regarding the Covid-19 disease, including important news, contact numbers and tips on prevention.

Prague for all

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK PAGE

Prague for all, a website dedicated to migrants living in Prague, provides up-to-date information and recommendations on coronavirus and the current situation. The website is available in several language versions: Czech, English, Russian, Vietnamese and Ukrainian.

Covid portal

WEBSITE

A new information portal launched at the beginning of November 2020 serves as a one-stop location for its citizens and residents to find a complete overview about current measures, resources, testing information, and other relevant data. At the moment the site is presented in beta form and information may not yet be entirely complete. 

Ministry of Health

WEBSITE

The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic launched a new website dedicated solely to Covid-19. The website covers important contacts, best practices, information for health professionals, information for employees and employers, issued measures and recommendations, press releases and news, as well as developments in the world and an overview of countries at high risk of transmission, and necessary downloadable materials.

Ministry of the Interior

WEBSITE – INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS

In addition to general information about the current situation in the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Interior’s website provides notices for foreign nationals about new obligations, residency, accommodation and other matters.

CzechInvest

WEBSITE – GOVERNMENT MEASURES – FAQ

The Investment and Business Development Agency CzechInvest is responsible for domestic and foreign investments of the Czech Republic and also supports small, medium-sized and innovative start-up companies, the country’s business infrastructure, and innovation. The section COVID-19 on their website provides information for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Re-open EU

WEBSITE

The European Commission launched Re-open EU, an interactive web platform for their citizens that provides all the necessary information regarding travelling across Europe.

The platform provides real-time information on borders, means of transport, travel restrictions, public health and safety measures such as physical distancing or the wearing of facemasks, available in 24 languages. Moreover, the platform acts as a central point of reference for anyone travelling in the EU as it centralises information gathered both by the European Commission and the Member States. As free movement and cross-border travel are crucial to tourism, an interactive map offers updates on national measures and advice for visitors available for each EU Member State. Europeans are also able to browse country-specific information at their ease. 

What to expect if you test positive for COVID-19?

You can find out a positive result either from your general practitioner (in case they have indicated you – the result will be reported to them by the laboratory) or from the staff of the local hygienic station responsible for your place of residence. You will receive the result by telephone or text message.

When you receive a positive result, you will be informed that you must remain in isolation (which means limiting contact with other people and staying at home).

The general practitioner will order you a 10 days quarantine and declare you as temporarily incapable for work. The work incapacity (so-called “neschopenka” in Czech) is issued from the date of the positive test. In the event that after the 10-day isolation you are at least three days without any symptoms, you are considered healthy and do not need to undergo any further testing. Your GP will then clear you for work. If your symptoms persist, contact your GP.

Search and monitoring of contacts

Smart quarantine (Chytrá karanténa) is a system that results in the early detection and effective testing of COVID-19 positive patients and isolation of as many potentially infected people as possible. Part of the Smart Quarantine is cooperation with the infected by providing a selection of contacts with whom you have been in high-risk contact in recent days.

Contact with another person is defined as a high-risk contact when you remain in a close mutual distance (up to 2 m) for at least 15 minutes without a face mask. Such contacts usually include members of your household, family members or relatives, co-workers, participants in camps, etc.

How does it work?

• A person who is identified as COVID-19 positive is contacted by the regional hygiene station to specify as many high-risk contacts in the last 5 days as possible.
• After providing official consent, the regional hygiene station will create a list of high-risk contacts, so-called “memory map” of the places where the infected person moved based on mobile data from operators. The list should include the name, surname and telephone number of the person concerned.
• After the infected person provides all high-risk contacts, they are informed and isolated in quarantine as quickly as possible.
• Subsequently, after 4-5 days these contacts in quarantine will receive a visit from a two-member sampling team, which takes a sample and ensures that it reaches the laboratory with free capacity so that the tested person is informed of the result as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours).
• If the test is positive, the newly infected person goes through the same whole process (of course, subject to an official consent).

What to expect if you have been in high-risk contact with a person positive for Covid-19

You will be contacted by the local hygienic station according to your place of residence as part of the epidemiological inquiry based on the information obtained from a person who tested positive for COVID-19. You may not be contacted on the same day that the person you met is tested positive given that it might take some time to obtain a contact list and evaluate the risk (however, it is usually done the following day).

In any case, if you are aware of contact with a positive person (for example, if a friend notifies you before the hygienic station does), you should behave accordingly and avoid contacts with other people as a precaution.

You will also be informed that you have to undergo quarantine for 10 days from the high-risk contact with a positive person. You need to call your general practitioner who will issue the quarantine (and work incapability if needed) to you. There are no restrictions on family members and people sharing a household with you. In the case you have been in a high-risk contact but have suffered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, you do not have the obligation to undergo quarantine.

After 5 – 7 days (but no later than the 10^th day) from the high-risk contact with this person, you need to undergo a COVID-19 test. For this purpose, you will be issued an electronic application in your name. To complete this application, the hygienic station employees will need to obtain additional information from you, such as place of residence or your birth number.

If your test is negative, you continue with the set quarantine and in the absence of clinical signs, the quarantine will be terminated by the general practitioner. If the first or second test is positive, you will be ordered to isolate for 10 days from the date of the positivity and proceed accordingly.

Coronavirus and anti-epidemic measures have reduced business activities and diminished income in almost every business sector all around the world. The Czech government prepared various subsidy programs and financial reliefs to partially compensate for these outages. We are bringing you an overview of the available financial support for business now affected by the second wave of the pandemic. One way to stay updated is to follow the official website of the Government of the Czech Republic and the Covid Portal.

Currently, these programs are in force or will be started soon:

Employment support for employers

Antivirus A – This is compensation for employers whose employees have been quarantined or have had to partially stop working due to pandemic restriction measures. The condition for the payment is the closure or restriction of operations due to crisis measures. The maximum aid amount is 80% of the salary paid. The maximum monthly amount of contribution per employee is CZK 39,000. The allowance is provided only for those employees whose employment lasted at least three months as of the date of submission of the monthly statement of paid wages.

Antivirus A Plus – It applies only to employers whose business has been forcibly closed down or significantly restricted by government crisis measures or emergency measures by the Ministry of Health or public health authorities. It does not apply to ordered quarantines and isolations. The allowance is provided only for the period when such obstacles at work persisted. The maximum amount of support is 100% of the paid compensation of wages and levies made from it, which the employer paid to the employee for the duration of obstacles at work. The maximum monthly amount of contributions per employee is CZK 50,000. The allowance is provided only for those employees whose employment lasted at least three months as of the date of submission of the monthly statement of paid wages.

Antivirus B – can be used by employers who encountered obstacles to their work on the part of an employer. This may be because the number of employees has fallen below tolerable limits due to quarantines and childcare, or that the company had to close down due to lack of availability of raw materials or other inputs or reduced demand for products or services due to the coronavirus crisis. Eligible expenses are wage compensations paid due to obstacles to work on the part of the employer, according to Sections 207 to 209 of the Labor Code, including insurance premiums paid from this wage compensation. The maximum amount of aid is 60% of the wage compensation paid, including compulsory levies. The amount of the contribution per employee is a maximum of CZK 29,000 per month. The allowance is provided only for those employees whose employment lasted at least three months as of the date of submission of the monthly statement of paid wage compensation.

More information here: Antivirus-aj.pdf (mpsv.cz)

Methods of applying: Only use data boxes, an e-mail with a recognized electronic signature. You may authorize a third party who meets these conditions for administration. In this case, it is necessary to send the power of attorney together with the application. All operations are performed via a web application, data boxes, or e-mail with a recognized electronic signature.

Apply here (in Czech only): antivirus.mpsv.cz

Comprehensive support for entrepreneurs

Covid 2021 – The comprehensive program replaces previous sectoral programs from March. The aid is intended for companies that have had their business restricted due to measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible costs are from February 2020 to March 31, 2021. The maximum amount of support is CZK 500 per day per employee for the period when the operation of companies was limited due to coronavirus. If the company has less than 3 employees, the support is CZK 1,500 per day. A maximum of EUR 1.8 million per beneficiary is possible. The relevant period is calculated from January 11, 2021, to the date specified in the call, no later than December 31, 2021.

Covid – Uncovered costs – The program is an alternative to the Covid 2021 program. It is intended to help entrepreneurs who are at a loss due to the coronavirus pandemic by paying part of the uncovered fixed costs. The condition for obtaining support is a decrease in the company’s turnover in January and February 2021 compared to the same period in 2019 by at least 50% and proof of the accounting loss. Subsidies already granted will be deducted from this loss. As a comparative period, the applicant chooses the period from January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2019, or from January 1, 2020, to March 31, 2020. The maximum amount of support is CZK 40 million per applicant.

Compensation bonus I – The compensatory bonus is intended for entities performing activities restricted or prohibited by measures taken by state administration bodies or other public authorities or a person authorized to do so if this measure consists in prohibiting or restricting the activities or operation of facilities in which their provider provides health or social services to protect the population and prevent the risk of the emergence and spread of COVID-19. The condition for drawing is the predominant business activity in the field, which was directly closed or limited as a result of the measures taken. The amount of the compensation bonus is CZK 500 for each calendar day for which the applicant was entitled to the bonus (within individual bonus periods) specified in the application for the compensation bonus.

Compensation bonus II – The new compensatory bonus is intended for entities carrying out activities significantly affected as a result of health threats or crisis measures taken to protect the population and prevent the risk of the emergence and spread of COVID-19. The condition for drawing the bonus is a significant impact on the applicant’s activities, which is assessed through a test of decline in income corresponding to sales of products, goods and services arising from the business. An activity is considered to be significantly affected if the amount of income corresponding to sales of products, goods and services resulting from that activity did not exceed 50% of the average monthly amount of such income from the same activity during the reference period. So far, three bonus periods have been announced since February 1, 2021. On May 6, the government decided to set a fourth bonus period until the end of May.

Methods of applying: Through the information system accessible from the AIS MIT Portal. It is necessary to establish an active account, the so-called e-Identity. Applications can be submitted, modified and evaluated, but the release of funds will be possible only after the notification of the Program by the European Commission, which is still ongoing. All necessary confirmations and forms are prepared for the applicant in the information system.

More information: Compensation bonus · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Application form (Czech only): Žádost o poskytnutí kompenzačního bonusu (KB 2021) (financnisprava.cz)

Postponement of mandatory electronic records of sales – The government has enforced a law postponing the launch of the third and fourth waves of electronic records of sales and interrupting the obligation to use EET for two already launched waves. Following the amendment to this law, the obligation to use EET for all four waves is postponed until January 1, 2023. There are currently no penalties for not recording sales.

More information: EET postponement · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Covid warranty programs

Covid III – Invest – The program is intended for self-employed persons and companies with up to 500 employees, whose economic activities are limited due to COVID-19 and the related preventive measures. From April 13, 2021, it was extended to include the possibility of obtaining a guaranteed loan for both operating costs and investments. The guarantee period was extended to 6 years. The provision of guarantees to entrepreneurs from the Covid III program will be extended at least until the middle of 2021. The support is provided in the form of a ČMZRB guarantee to the cooperating bank for the portfolio of transactions of final beneficiaries. Businesses with up to 250 employees can receive a guarantee of up to 90% of the principal of a guaranteed loan, up to a maximum of CZK 45 million with a guarantee period of up to three years. Businesses with 250 to 500 employees can receive a guarantee of up to 80% of the principal of a guaranteed loan, up to a maximum of CZK 40 million. The maximum amount of the guaranteed loan may not exceed CZK 50 million.

More information and application: COVID III guarantee program for companies affected by a coronavirus (from the Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank) · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Covid Plus – The guarantee program in cooperation with the EGAP Export Insurance Company is designed to help large companies with at least 250 employees. The condition for inclusion in the program is that their export contributes at least 20 per cent to the company’s sales. The guarantee covers 80 per cent of the loan principal, in the case of EGAP B’s internal rating, it is 70 per cent. The loan amount is set in the range from CZK 5 million to CZK 2 billion, the maximum loan amount corresponds to 25 per cent of the company’s annual turnover. A business with a predominant economic activity in providing accommodation services can also apply for a guarantee.

More information and application: COVID PLUS guarantee for large exporters (by Export Guarantee and Insurance Company) · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Covid Sport – The guarantee program is intended for SMEs operating in the field of sports. ČMRZB provides a guarantee for an operating loan intended, among other things, for the payment of energy and rents, supplier-customer invoices, employee salaries or the acquisition of materials, supplies and other small assets. The ČMZRB bank guarantee is provided for loans up to CZK 15 million, up to 80% of the principal of the guaranteed loan. The liability period is 3 years. Entrepreneurs can also apply for a financial contribution to pay interest up to CZK 1 million.

More information and application: COVID – SPORT support programme · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Support for entrepreneurs in the culture

Covid – Culture for businesses – The program is aimed at organizers of live cultural events that cannot be organized for epidemiological reasons. Supported entities may include, for example, individual artists, organizers of music productions and festivals, art, theatre or dance festivals, performances and shows, circuses, art ensembles and musical ensembles or music clubs whose main function is the author’s live music production, ticketing companies or non-governmental non-profit organizations in the field of culture. The maximum amount of support is CZK 10 million for one business entity.

More information and application: Culture- Business Entities · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Support for wellness subjects

Covid – Spas 2021 – The support will be provided for tourism services, or to increase the demand for health and preventive stays in spas. The applicant must not be in financial difficulties on the day the application is submitted and must meet other conditions. When calculating the support, the number of beds in the spa facility, the value of the discount voucher, etc. are taken into account. The relevant period is from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Currently, applications are open until May 28, 2021.

More information and application: COVID-Spa 2021 · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Support for organizers of exhibitions, congresses and events

Covid – Trade fairs/congresses – The program is intended for entrepreneurs in the field of trade fairs, congresses and related B2B events. The subsidy is provided for up to 60% of uncovered costs, 40% for businesses with the ownership participation of the state or a territorial self-governing unit of the Czech Republic. Uncovered costs are considered to be a loss reduced by other programs such as COVID – Rent, COVID – Culture and from the Antivirus program. The maximum amount per applicant is CZK 20 million. The relevant period is considered to be March 1 to October 31, 2020.

More information and application: COVID – Trade fairs / Congresses · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Support for entrepreneurs in tourism

Covid – guarantee for travel agencies – The guarantee program created in cooperation with the Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank is intended primarily for small and medium-sized travel agencies. The guarantee is intended to help travel agents comply with the legal obligation to insure against insolvency. The maximum amount of support is up to 75% of the required TA participation up to the limit of 30% of the insurance indemnity (maximum sum insured), with a maximum of CZK 4 million. The validity of the guarantee may exceed the agreed insurance period by a maximum of 6 months.

More information and application: COVID Travel Agency Guarantee · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Other support programmes

Covid-19 Extraordinary Financial Assistance MOP – People who are in financial need due to coronavirus, which has to be proven, may request a single dose of emergency immediate support. It also applies to parents of children under the age of 10 who have stayed at home to care for their children due to the closure of schools and school facilities. When calculating the amount of financial support, the income of all persons in the common household is assessed.

Apply here: Žádost o mimořádnou okamžitou pomoc spojená s COVID-19 (mpsv.cz)

Tax relief –  Tax obligations to all entrepreneurs whose activities were immediately restricted or prohibited are postponed. Retrospective application of tax loss is possible. The administrative fee for submitting applications to the tax or customs office is also postponed. Other benefits include:

• Widespread exemption of VAT on supplies of basic protective equipment, for which the obligation to declare tax arose in the period from October to December,
• Reduction of VAT rates (rate 10%) on draft beer, catering services, accommodation and cultural services, operation of ski lifts, entry to sports events and sports facilities (including saunas, fitness centres and gyms),
• Road tax reduction for vehicles over 3.5 t by 25 per cent,
• Abolition of real estate acquisition tax,
• Permanent exemption from tax on unused beer intended for liquidation or reprocessing by an amendment to the Act on Excise Duties with effect from January 1, 2021.

More information and application: A large tax liberation package · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Support for operators of children’s groups – The program is intended for the founders of children’s groups who have lost part of their income due to the adopted anti-epidemic measures. The program covers half of the provider’s rent expenses for a period of 6 months during 2021. Also available is partial compensation for increased costs related to the covid-19 pandemic, up to CZK 12,000 per carer. The subsidy program will be announced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Not released yet, updates here: Subsidy program for children’s groups for the year 2021 · Covid Portál (gov.cz)

Last update: 14.07.2021

COVID-19 traffic light 

For the up-to-date traffic light for travelling, visit the Travellers’ map.

The following rules apply for travelling to and from foreign countries:

Black – Countries with an extreme risk of COVID-19 infection

• Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini (Swaziland), India, South Africa, Colombia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Tanzania (including Zanzibar and Pemba), Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns against travel. Trips to these countries are prohibited by protective measures of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, with the exception of urgent trips.

Czech citizens and foreigners with a residence permit and EU+ citizens and foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in EU+ countries:

• entry allowed only to citizens and residents of the Czech Republic, accredited members of diplomatic missions and if the entry of a person is in the interest of the state
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before arrival
• 2x negative PCR test after entry
  • within 24 hours
  • no earlier than 10 days after arrival
• self-isolation required until the test results

Third-country nationals*:

• entry not allowed

Dark red – Countries with a very high risk of COVID-19 infection

• All other states not listed in the category above or below

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends travelling only in absolutely necessary cases.

Czech citizens and foreigners with a residence permit and EU+ citizens and foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in EU+ countries:

• entry allowed
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before arrival
• negative PCR test after entry
• self-isolation required until the test results

Passengers who do not submit a negative test result and arrival form will not be allowed on the board. In the case of a trip to the Czech Republic by individual transport, the test result is not required before the start of the trip, however, it is obligatory to undergo the RT-PCR test after entering the territory of the Czech Republic.

Third-country nationals*:

• entry allowed according to the protective measure
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before arrival
• negative PCR test after entry
• self-isolation required until the test results

Red – Countries with a high risk of COVID-19 infection

• Cyprus, Portugal, Spain (including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends taking extra care during the stay and observing hygienic and anti-epidemic measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that travel to certain areas may be associated with an increased risk of infection.

Czech citizens and foreigners with a residence permit and EU+ citizens and foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in EU+ countries:

• entry allowed
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before arrival
• negative PCR test after entry
• self-isolation required until the test results

Passengers who do not submit a negative test result and arrival form will not be allowed on the board. In the case of a trip to the Czech Republic by individual transport, the test result is not required before the start of the trip, however, it is obligatory to undergo the RT-PCR test after entering the territory of the Czech Republic.

Third-country nationals*:

• entry allowed according to the protective measure
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before arrival
• negative PCR test after entry
• self-isolation required until the test results

Orange – Countries with a medium risk of COVID-19 infection

• Andorra, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Azores (Portugal)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends taking extra care during your stay.

Czech citizens and foreigners with a residence permit and EU+ citizens and foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in EU+ countries:

• entry allowed
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before or after arrival (no later than 5 days)
• self-isolation not required

Third-country nationals*:

• entry allowed according to the protective measure
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before or after arrival (no later than 5 days)
• self-isolation not required

Green – Countries with a low risk of COVID-19 infection

• Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Croatia, Iceland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Macao, Madeira (Portugal), Hungary, Malta, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Austria, Romania, Greece, San Marino, Northern Macedonia, Republic of Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, USA, Vatican

Without specific recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Czech citizens and foreigners with a residence permit and EU+ citizens and foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in EU+ countries:

• entry allowed
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen / PCR test before or after arrival (no later than 5 days)
• self-isolation not required

Third-country nationals*:

• entry allowed according to the protective measure
• it is required to fill in the arrival form
• negative antigen/PCR test before or after arrival (no later than 5 days)
• self-isolation not required

*This includes third-country nationals who have a short-stay visa issued by the Czech Republic before 11.5.2020 or do not have a residence permit issued by the Czech Republic; or third-country nationals who have a short-stay or long-stay visa issued in another EU+ country or do not have a long-term or permanent residence permit in another EU+ country. Third-country nationals who do not have a residence permit issued by the Czech Republic or do not have a long-term or permanent residence permit in another EU + country and who do not live in countries with a low risk of infection are currently prohibited from entering the Czech Republic.

Exceptions to the rules

Groups of persons who are not required to take the test and who do not have movement restrictions after entry:

• persons who have contracted Covid-19 in the last 180 days (must be demonstrated by a certificate from a doctor from the EU+ country where the isolation took place or by a digital EU certificate of Covid-19)
• persons with completed vaccination in EU+ countries, with at least 14 days since the last dose (must be evidenced by a national certificate or EU digital vaccination certificate)

Tests that are recognized for entry into the Czech Republic:

• antigen testing: a written confirmation of a negative antigen test result that is not older than 48 hours from the date of the test
• RT-PCR testing: a written confirmation of a negative result of the RT-PCR test, which is not older than 72 hours from the date of the test

Written confirmation of the test result must be issued by an authorized health care provider or laboratory in the country where the test was performed.

From 1 July 2021, in the case of a test performed in a territory covered by the European Union Digital COVID Certificate Regulation, only a test certificate issued under the European Union Digital COVID Certificate Regulation that is not older than 48 hours (antigen test) or 72 hours (PCR test) from the date performing in countries bound by this Regulation is valid.

However, this condition is not met when, for example:

• a Czech doctor who travels with a travel agency to Egypt and on site (without an Egyptian authorization) performs antigen tests,
• a tourist in Tunisia takes a self-test and sends a photo of the result to a doctor in the Czech Republic, who issues a certificate (antigenic self-tests cannot be used for this purpose at all).

Further information

For all trips abroad, it is necessary to check the conditions of entry, restrictions and preventive measures of the destination country in advance. Before travelling abroad or before returning to the Czech Republic via the territory of a third country, it is recommended to check in advance the currently valid conditions of transport directly with the agreed public transport carrier (plane, bus, train). It cannot be ruled out that individual transport companies will require prior electronic registration from passengers as well as a negative test for COVID-19 before the start of the journey.

The official information line provides information in Czech and English and is available from Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 4 pm and on Friday from 8 am to 12 noon on the number: +420 974 820 680 (option 3).

E-mail address for questions related to the conditions of entry into the territory of the Czech Republic: cestovani.covid19@mvcr.cz 

Further information can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs websites, the Ministry of Health websites or in the protective measure of the Ministry of Health (Czech only)

For real-time information on borders, means of transport, travel restrictions, public health and safety measures such as physical distancing or the wearing of facemasks, visit RE-OPEN EU. 

The platform acts as a central point of reference for anyone travelling in the EU as it centralises information gathered both by the European Commission and the Member States. This interactive map offers updates on national measures and advice for visitors available for each EU Member State. Europeans are also able to browse country-specific information at their ease.  Read more here.

Common COVID-19 hoaxes

In connection with the COVID-19 epidemic, countless hoaxes, fake news and misinformation are spreading through social networks. Disinformation most often aims to downplay the data and the course of the coronavirus pandemic or to discredit official information published by the government. Below, we present an overview of the common narratives with disinformation potential appearing in this context in the media and spreading through social networks or chain e-mails in the Czech Republic.

1. EU IS INCAPABLE

CLAIM: The EU is not able to respond to the crisis effectively and is therefore unnecessary, the EU is only harmful in the current crisis (alleged support for migration, alleged efforts to prevent the acceptance of aid offered by Russia, etc.).

EXAMPLE: Silvia Kucherenko on Russia’s aid to Italy: Putin is a man of action, but a team of EU experts has been unable to do anything. Source: Sputnik Czech Republic

FACTS: Health and internal security are among the areas in which the EU has very little competence. Both are the sole responsibility of the Member States. On the other hand, in its areas of competence, the EU is active in resolving the crisis – it has created a rescue fund from which the Czech Republic can use approximately 30 billion crowns to help small and medium-sized enterprises, stabilize health care or support the labour market as such. The EU is spending another significant amount of money on developing a coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible and is committed to making the approval process as easy and as fast as possible. It also announced the joint purchase of protective equipment, co-finances the return of Czech and other European citizens from abroad, or organizes flights where commercial carriers no longer fly. It also makes other recommendations, such as a proposal to provide lanes for the rapid handling of lorries at EU border crossings, to ensure the rapid supply of necessary goods, such as food or materials for the production of protective equipment.

The EU is actively addressing the situation. For an up-to-date overview of EU activities in the fight against coronavirus, see the European Commission’s website.

2. CORONAVIRUS AND MIGRATION

CLAIM: The government or public service media is flooding the public with information about coronavirus, which, together with the measures taken, is intended to divert citizens’ attention from the real current danger of migration. It is presented as an organized “invasion” supported by non-profit organizations, or as a targeted effort to Islamize Europe. The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are intended to help build capacity for the “planned” supply of migrants.

EXAMPLES: Influenza worse than migrating snails and niggers? Duce Hamáček announced the resumption of border controls. Source: Vlastenecké noviny.
From the Vox Populi blog: In Germany, seniors have been evicted from their homes due to migrants, now the coronavirus is useful for them. Source: Pravý prostor.

FACTS: A conspiratorial but unsubstantiated claim about the organized efforts of supranational “elites”, the European Union, the UN, NGOs and Czech political leaders to import (Muslim) migrants to Europe, has been present on the disinformation media scene for several years. It has recently been extended in relation to the situation at Greek-Macedonian border and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Czech Republic has a long-term defined and applied migration policy strategy, including the fight against illegal migration and a description of possible threats arising from this phenomenon. In addition to joining the EU’s support for Greece, the Czech Republic is also solving the current migration situation on the Greek-Turkish border by sending police officers to guard this border. The Czech Republic also consistently defends its opposition to the so-called relocations of migrants (quotas) defined by resolutions of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and the Government of the Czech Republic. The disinformation media scene did not provide any evidence of its claim of “coronavirus distraction”.

For an up-to-date overview of the Czech Republic’s migration-related measures, see the website of the Ministry of the Interior.

3. THE VIRUS WAS DEVELOPED AS A BIOLOGICAL WEAPON

CLAIM: The virus was developed as a biological weapon (Americans / British / Chinese / by global elites, such as Bill Gates, etc.), was created to destroy humanity, the controlled collapse of the financial system, establish world domination, profit from the sale of vaccines, etc.

EXAMPLE: Coronavirus: Is it a biological weapon? Who created it? Who released it? A look at the facts. Source: Pravý prostor.

FACTS: Disinformation is very often related to geopolitical issues, as is in the case of disinformation about the spread of coronavirus. According to currently available information, this virus was not created in a laboratory or artificially, which has been agreed upon by several leading research institutions and laboratories. The natural spread of this virus has mutated its genetic information, but the gradual modification of the virus is normal and likely. Since, according to current knowledge, it cannot be proven that the virus was developed artificially, it is not possible to speculate on the targeted creation of this virus by one or the other power in order to achieve its political or geopolitical goals with its help.

For further information regarding the nature of the virus, we recommend following the latest news on the World Health Organization or the Ministry of Health.

4. ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

CLAIM: Using alcohol, garlic, smoking, drinking hot water, washing with chlorine, using nasal drops, antibiotics, colloidal gold, etc. as a prevention or treatment of the disease. Deterioration of the course of the disease with the use of ibuprofen or drugs containing it, the ineffectiveness of protective equipment (face masks), etc.

EXAMPLE: Cure for coronavirus: It’s that simple: Whiskey and honey! Source: AC24

FACTS: Consumption of alcohol, garlic, smoking, drinking hot water, washing with chlorine, taking nasal drops or antibiotics is not effective in the fight against coronavirus. These and other “tips” are debunked by the Ministry of Health on their website aimed at informing the public about coronavirus (Czech only). According to the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL), a doctor or pharmacist can recommend various treatment options to relieve the problems (fever) that accompany COVID-19. These include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Thus, the use of ibuprofen in accordance with the package leaflet is an effective and safe treatment for fever and pain. According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), there is currently no scientific evidence that ibuprofen worsens the course of COVID-19 infection.

The existence of an effective anti-coronavirus drug has not yet been confirmed, but the positive effect of existing drugs is being intensively developed or investigated. Regarding Remdesivir, SÚKL issued a positive opinion on its use for COVID-19 (Czech only). Remdesivir is intended for critically ill patients and is considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on coronavirus, treatment or prevention, follow trusted and verified sources, such as the Ministry of Health, and follow doctors’ advice.

5. FOREIGN STATES SEIZE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

CLAIM: Germany (or other states) maliciously withhold supplies of the necessary medical aids for the Czech Republic, which limits the necessary health care, the government and the mainstream media intentionally conceal this information.

EXAMPLE: Coronavirus: I don’t think so! Does Germany detain shipments with veils to the Czech Republic and other countries on its territory? Millions of respirators in German warehouses, while thousands of people die in Europe !. Source: Arfa.cz.

FACTS: Some European countries, including Germany, but also the Czech Republic, have banned the export of medical supplies since March 4, 2020. In connection with this ban, but also the general lack of medical supplies and different channels of orders and distribution, the situation with these supplies is not always completely clear. This situation is often abused for fabrication or considerable manipulation of facts in an attempt to cause panic, spread anti-European or anti-German sentiments. The situations that have been publicized so far in this context (detention of Czech supplies by Germany, Hungary or Chinese supplies to Italy by the Czech Republic) have shown that this is not an intention and can be resolved constructively by cooperation with the official authorities of the states.

For more information regarding the import and export of medical supplies, see the Customs Administration website.

6. THE CITIES QUARANTINE AND ITS IMPACTS

CLAIM: Demonization of ongoing security measures with the potential to cause panic (use of terms such as “concentration camp”, “martial law”, calls for lynching of non-quarantineers, etc.), speculation about closing specific areas (eg Prague), etc. These are usually variations of a narrative whose author seeks to create an impression of credibility by referring to “guaranteed” inside information from the security community.

EXAMPLE: List of concentration camps – Panic does not end, but grows: Olomouc closed! People are not allowed to leave or enter 21 municipalities. Source: Vlastenecké noviny.

FACTS: Hoaxes about the closure of some areas or cities appear repeatedly (especially) on social networks. The situation does not only concern the Czech Republic, these messages can also be found in Slovakia, for example. The recorded cases concerning Prague were disproved by the Minister of the Interior, the Prime Minister and the Mayor of the Capital City of Prague. Social networks and disinformation media websites may also contain distorted and manipulative information about the conditions that allegedly prevail in closed areas, or criticism of already existing or planned measures (for example in the so-called smart quarantine), which are described as totalitarian and self-serving, which calls into question the constitutional principles of the Czech Republic as a democratic state governed by the rule of law. The quarantine of municipalities in the Olomouc region has already been completed in accordance with the evaluation of the hygiene situation.

For an overview of currently adopted measures, see, for example, the pages of the Government of the Czech Republic.

7. FORCED HARMFUL VACCINATION IS BEING PREPARED

CLAIM: The state is preparing forced mass vaccination of the population as a tool to control society, as part of the vaccination, toxic substances or, for example, nanochips will be introduced into the body, which will then be used for electronic identification of the population.

EXAMPLE: Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The real danger is “Agenda ID2020”. Source: Nová republika.

FACTS: Conspiracy theories about coronavirus in preparation for forced or widespread vaccination are very often associated with disinformation narratives about “secret elite intentions and vaccination as a means of establishing totalitarian world domination”. It mainly benefits from the often irrational belief of some people that vaccination is not only ineffective but even dangerous. Such disinformation is currently pointless and serves primarily to provoke fear, distrust and panic.

For more information on the effects of vaccination, we recommend monitoring trusted sources, such as the Ministry of Health (Czech only) or the World Health Organization.

8. EPIDEMIC IS ONLY PRETENDED, THE SITUATION IS NOT SERIOUS

CLAIM: The epidemic is fabricated, used to cause panic, control the population with fear, cover up other problems, create a totalitarian society, etc. The coronavirus pandemic is not serious and therefore protective measures are not necessary. The economic impact is more dangerous to the state than the damage that a virus can cause.

EXAMPLE: How to do a pandemic when fewer people died than last year. The world of Dr. Wodarga. Coronavirus is said to be fiction. Many ridicule him, but data against him is missing. VIDEO and shocking statistics. Source: Arfa.cz.

FACTS: A significant argument against the underestimation of the virus is the real situation in countries with a high increase in the number of detected infected persons. The comparison with the effects of other diseases does not stand up – the coronavirus has a longer incubation period than, for example, influenza, which increases the probability of human-to-human transmission even at the stage when the first infected person does not know he has the virus. The timely implementation of key measures is therefore essential. There are also voices that consider the negative economic impacts of the measures taken to be more important than the effects of the uncontrolled spread of the virus and the necessarily related effects on the health system. However, uncontrolled spread could undoubtedly have, in addition to its own significant economic impacts, also much more serious social impacts.

For more information on the consequences and impacts of a pandemic, we recommend monitoring credible sources, such as the Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization.

9. CORONAVIRUS AND 5G

CLAIM: Speculation about the connection between the virus and the introduction of 5G networks in the context of the perceived health risks associated with the introduction of new technologies (previously, for example, the claim that 5G causes cancer).

EXAMPLE: Covert operation. Maybe when people understand, it will be too late. 5G hidden behind CORONAVIRUS. Source: Tadesco.

FACTS: There is no scientific evidence for an alleged link between the operation of 5G networks and the development of COVID-19. These are two completely unrelated areas. Although the coronavirus is relatively new and scientific research is still underway to find a cure and vaccine against it, current scientific evidence suggests that it was caused by a natural mutation. 5G technology has and has had no effect on or related to this mutation. 5G technology is simply just a newer version of today’s mobile technology, which enables faster data transfers.

For more information on the consequences and impacts of a pandemic, we recommend monitoring credible sources, such as the Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization.

10. THE AMERICANS ARE ABUSING THE CRISIS FOR MILITARY USE

CLAIM: The Americans, under the guise of crisis, are secretly deploying their troops throughout Europe, preparing to launch military operations, occupy Europe, etc.

EXAMPLE: In the shadow of coronavirus: The US is moving huge numbers of soldiers, planes and tanks to Europe. We are on the brink of war, says the expert. The United States has never occupied Europe with such a strong army as it does now. Source: Arfa.cz.

FACTS: The above misinformation is in some cases based on the planned NATO Defender-Europe 20 military exercise, which was scheduled to take place in Europe in spring 2020 and to which hundreds of vehicles and thousands of US military troops were to be transferred to Europe. However, their transfer was completed due to the onset of the coronavirus crisis, and the US military decided to return those training units that had already been transported to Europe.

For current information, follow the websites of NATO or the Ministry of Defense.

This overview is based on the activities of the Center against Terrorism and Hybrid Threats, which monitors disinformation cases related to internal security occurring in the Czech information space.