Czech Republic reimposes mask rules for public indoor spaces

The Czech Republic will require face masks in all public indoor spaces across the country starting Thursday, Minister of Health Adam Vojtech said on Wednesday.

“Due to the deteriorating epidemiological situation, this morning I convened an extraordinary meeting of the Central Management Team. We agreed with experts that from tomorrow (Thursday) we will introduce the obligation to wear masks indoors inside the Czech Republic,” Vojtech said on twitter.

Czech people had been required to wear masks in indoor spaces, on public transport, and at mass events in the spring because of the spread of COVID-19. The rules ended on July 1, except for the Prague underground.

But COVID-19 cases have soared in recent weeks. Since September, the authority has asked people to cover their noses and mouths on public transport and during visits to health and social care facilities.

On Tuesday, the country registered a record-breaking 1,164 confirmed cases, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

As of Wednesday, health authorities have recorded 29,877 cases in the country, including 9,272 active ones and 441 deaths.

Germany has decided to put Prague on the list of “risk” areas, according to the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Everyone who comes to Germany from Prague is obliged to undergo a 14-day quarantine, or to prove himself with a negative test, which should not be performed earlier than 48 hours before entering Germany, said the ministry on its website.

Read alsoGermany extends travel warning for around 160 countries until end of September

Source: Xinhua