Emergency measures introduced after the state of emergency was announced UPDATE02

March 18, 2020  |  Crisis and emergency measures

Update 18 March 2020

1. TEMPORARY RE-IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROTECTION OF INTERNAL BORDERS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Summary: On the basis of this Government Resolution, the Ministry of the Interior issued an emergency measure of a general nature to protect the land borders with Germany and Austria and airborne internal borders; after the measure has ceased to apply, the Government intends to proceed with the introduction of border control at the general level, and it is very likely that stricter measures will be adopted.

2. BAN OF ENTRY INTO AND TRAVEL TO RISK AREAS AND THE SUSPENSION OF ISSUE OF VISAS AND RESIDENCY AUTHORIZATIONS   

  • Underlying document: Government Declaration No. 198 of 12.3.2020
  • Takes effect on:          
    • 14. 3. 2020 from 0:00 a.m.
  • Expires on:        
    • 11. 4. 2020 (or until further notice) in relation to measures concerning visas and residence permits
  • Expires on:        
    • 16. 3. 2020 do 0:00 in relation to the prohibition of entry and travel to risk areas;

From 16 March 2020 from 0:00 a total ban applies to the entry into and travelling out from the Czech Republic (see crisis measures under point 3 below).

Summary: By this emergency measure, the Government (a) banned the entry of foreigners from risk areas, (b) banned Czech citizens from entering risk areas unless an exemption was granted[1], (c) stopped or suspended the issuance of visas and residence permits over 90 days; stipulated that foreigners who were in the territory legally temporarily or permanently in the territory under the rules for the stay of foreigners at the time of the declaration of an emergency are entitled to remain in the territory for the duration of the emergency. The risk areas are identified by the Minister of Health by a notice published on the website of the Ministry of Health[2]. As of 14 March 2020, the countries concerned are: China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and France. For the sake of clarity of the measure, we attach a table of the Ministry and reiterate that this crisis measure on the ban on entry and exit was tightened by Government Resolution No. 209 of 13 March 2020 (see point 3 below).

*List of exemptions see the list on the website www.mvcr.cz/clanek/cestovani-po-dobu-nouzoveho -stavu.aspx

**List of risk area countries will be updated regularly on the website www.koronavirus.mzcr.cz/staty-sveta-s-vysokem-rizikem-prenosu-nakazy

Source (translation) from  – Interior Ministry’s website

3. PROHIBITION FOR ALL FOREIGNERS TO ENTER AND FOR ALL CZECH CITIZENS TO LEAVE THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Summary: the Government has banned entry for all foreigners with the exception of those who have been granted temporary residence over 90 days or permanent residence in the Czech Republic. This does not apply if the entry of a particular foreigner is desirable in the interest of the Czech Republic. In addition, the Government forbade Czech citizens and foreigners with a permanent or temporary residence for over 90 days to leave the Czech Republic; this does not apply if an exemption is granted (whether across-the-board or individual). Exceptions are set by the Minister of the Interior by publishing them on the Ministry of the Interior’s website, which is continuously updated.[3]

Below is the Interior Ministry’s chart that clarifies the measure outlined above and that also reflects the quarantine obligation stipulated by Government Resolution No. 209 (see clause 4 below).

*List of exemptions see the list on the website www.mvcr.cz/clanek/cestovani-po-dobu-nouzoveho -stavu.aspx

**List of risk area countries will be updated regularly on the website www.koronavirus.mzcr.cz/staty-sveta-s-vysokem-rizikem-prenosu-nakazy
Source (Translation from)  – Interior Ministry’s website

4. MANDATORY QUARANTINE AFTER ONE RETURNS FROM RISK AREAS AND REPORTING DUTIES IF THERE ARE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Summary: By this measure, the Government extends the applicability of Government Resolution No. 198 of 12 March 2020 and orders all Czech citizens and foreigners with temporary or permanent residence (who reside in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days or if they are employed in the Czech Republic) who have returned from any risk area after the Government Resolution took force to report this fact to their general practitioner immediately after they return to the Czech Republic. This duty does not apply to individuals covered by the exemption granted by the Minister of the Interior under Government Decisions No. 198 of 12 March 2020 and No. 203 of 13 March 2020. The Government further orders the individuals referred to above to report any symptoms of influenza to their general practitioner immediately.

At the same time, the Government requires all health service providers in the field of general practice for adults or general practice for children and adolescents to decide whether a person who returns from a risk area is to be quarantined for 14 days or not. The risk areas are identified by the Minister of Health by a notice published on the Health Ministry’s website (https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/staty-sveta-s-vysokym-rizikem-prenosu-nakazy/). As of 14 March 2020, the following countries are concerned: China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and France.

5. PROHIBITIONS IN INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRANSPORT, TEMPORARY RESTRICTION OF CZECH RAILWAYS' LONG-DISTANCE TRAIN SERVICE AND RECOMMENDATION TO DISINFECT PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Summary: The Government has banned passenger transport across the Czech borders for all carriers engaged in international road transport provided by vehicles with capacity of more than 9 passengers, passenger transport across the borders of the Czech Republic for all carriers engaged in international railroad passenger transport, passenger transport for all carriers engaged in cross-border national river transport with passengers on board during which the borders of the Czech Republic are crossed and the use of any airports other than Václav Havel Prague International Airport for all carriers engaged in commercial air transport which may have passengers on board if the borders of the Czech Republic are crossed. The only transport allowed is the return of Czech citizens and foreigners who have been granted permanent or temporary (over 90 days) residence to the Czech Republic and the leaving the territory of the Czech Republic by foreigners which is permitted only by road passenger occasional transport. It is also possible to transport empty buses, trains and vessels without passengers to/outside the Czech Republic. The Minister of Transport is authorized to grant an exemption from an emergency Government measure. By its Resolution No. 244, the Government acknowledged the information on the temporary restriction of the operation of Czech Railways’ long-distance passenger train service, which is attached to the resolution.

6. OBLIGATION TO WEAR A FACE MASK AND OBLIGATION OF CROSS-BORDER WORKERS

  • Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 247 dated 18 March 2020
  • Takes effect on:          
    • 19. 3. 2020 from 0:00 a.m. in relation to mandatory face masks
    • 18. 3. 2020 in relation to cross-border workers
  • Expires on:     
    • 11. 4. 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The Government has prohibited all individuals from moving and staying in any place other than their homes without respiratory protective equipment (nose, mouth) such as a respirator, veil, face mask, scarf, shawl or other means to prevent droplet transmission.

In addition, the Government has ordered all individuals who have been granted an exemption for cross-border work to limit their movement on the territory of the Czech Republic to as little as necessary; this does not apply to necessary travel to family or close relatives, travel to take care of another person (such as volunteering, neighbourhood assistance), travel to deal with urgent official matters, including ensuring the necessary escort of relatives and close persons and stay in the nature or parks. At the same time, the Government pointed out that such workers are subject to all measures resulting from all other resolutions (especially the obligation to wear respiratory protective equipment). The Government also requires them to undergo health checks for infectious disease symptoms when crossing the state border. If signs of an infectious disease are identified, such persons are required to provide necessary assistance to healthcare professionals to perform biological sampling to check COVID-19 presence.

7. NO ADMITTANCE TO FOOD STORES BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 12 P.M. FOR ANYONE EXCEPT PEOPLE OVER 65 AND RECOMMENDATION TO PEOPLE OVER 70           

Summary: No individuals other than people over 65 years of age will be admitted to retail stores that carry food, sanitary goods, cosmetics and other drugstore goods, pharmacies and healthcare stores between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. This does not apply to the owners and staff of the stores and individuals in a similar position.

The Government recommended that persons over 70 years of age should not go outside their homes for as long as the emergency continues, and ordered the mayors of municipalities to assist them in coping with basic necessities, including purchasing food and medicines.

8. PROHIBITION OF SALE OF GOODS AND SERVICES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO DISINFECT, PROHIBITION OF FOOD OPERATIONS AND OPERATION OF GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS AND CASINOS

Summary: By its resolution No. 208, the Government prohibited retail sales at markets and marketplaces (SAPA) and by its resolution No. 2011, the Government prohibited retail sale and sale in establishments[4]; the prohibition does not apply to stores and shops that sell: food, computer and telecommunications equipment, audio and video receivers, consumer electronics, appliances and other household products, fuel, fuels, sanitary goods, cosmetics and other drugstore goods, pharmacies and dispensaries of medical devices, small pets, feed and other pet supplies, spectacles, contact lenses and related goods, newspapers and magazines, tobacco products, laundry and dry cleaning services (self-service laundry and dry cleaning facilities are prohibited), on-line sales and sales via other remote means and goods and services that are predominantly sold or offer at the particular establishment. By its Resolution No. 214, the Government ordered that this prohibition of retail sales and the sale of services does not apply to operations that are not deemed to constitute a trade under the Trade Licensing Act. In addition, by Resolution No. 214, the Government ordered that the sale of unpackaged bread is only permitted if the following requirements are met: (a) it is ensured that there is no crowding at the bagging site; and (b) the point of sale is equipped with personal hygiene aids. On the other hand, the Government ordered that, for as long as the emergency continues, packaged food is not subject to the additional marketing requirements laid down in the implementing legislation.

By its Resolution No. 214, the Government extended the list of exemptions to the ban on retail sales and the sale of services in establishments to: repair of road vehicles, unless there are more than 30 persons in the establishment at one time, towing services and on-road repair vehicle repair services, sale of spare parts for vehicles and manufacturing technologies, establishments allowing the collection of goods and shipments from third parties, sale of gardening supplies, including seeds and seedlings, cash sale of tickets, spa facilities reimbursed entirely or in part from public health insurance, funeral services, florist’s, construction and demolition, project and design activities in construction, geological works, surveying, testing, measurement and analysis in construction, supply and sale of medical devices, where the goods or service in question constitutes a major part of the establishment in question.

By its Resolution No. 238, the Government granted further exemptions from the prohibition of retail sales and sale of services in establishments: sale of textile materials and accessories (haberdashery), computer and telecommunication services, audio and video receivers, consumer electronics, appliances and other household products.

All retail store operators are advised by Government Resolution No. 251 to disinfect shopping carts and trolleys after each use and handles and door handles at least once per hour.

At the same time, the Government banned the operation of food establishments located within shopping centres with the sales area of more than 5000 m2, and the operation of gambling establishments and casinos.

Moreover, the Government banned the presence of the public in food establishments, save for establishments that do not serve the public (such as employee canteens, canteens in health and social service providers, prisons). This prohibition does not apply to off-premises sales (such as fast-food outlets with a pick-up window or takeaway food without entering the establishment), which may take place without any time limit.

Commentary: The ban on public presence in food establishments was originally contained in Government Resolution No. 199, which limited this ban with effect from 13 March 2020 from 8:00 pm only to the time between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. That prohibition was cancelled by Resolution No. 211, which imposed stricter measures.

9. PROHIBITION OF PRESENCE OF THE PUBLIC IN ESTABLISHMENTS OF PROVIDERS OF SOME SERVICES

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 199 of 12 March 2020 in conjunction with Government Resolution No. 208 dated 13 March 2020 and Government Resolution No. 214 dated 15 March 2020, as mended by Government Resolution No. 211 of 14 March 2020 and Government Resolution No. 215 dated 15 March 2020

  • Takes effect on:                                              
    • 14 March 2020 starting 6:00 a.m. applies to gyms, outdoor swimming facilities, solariums, saunas, wellness facilities, clubs, entertainment facilities, libraries and gallerieS
    • 14 March 2020 from 6:00 a.m.  applies to swimming pools and tourist information centreS
    • 16 March 2020 from 0:00 a.m.  applies to sports facilities and construction material stores
  • Expires on:     
    • 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The Government imposed a no-admittance rule for establishments operated by providers operating: gyms, natural and artificial swimming pools, solariums, saunas, wellness services, music and social clubs, entertainment facilities, public libraries, galleries. The Government extended this prohibition by Resolution No. 208, which extends the no-admittance rule to indoor swimming pools and tourist information centres, and Resolution No. 214 to construction stores, stores that carry construction products and hobby markets, and to indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

Commentary: Government Resolution No. 199 originally included a ban on events and gatherings with the participation of over 30 people. However, this ban was cancelled (as of 16 March 2020, 0:00 a.m.) by Government Resolution No. 215, which prohibits the free movement of persons throughout the Czech Republic, save for exempted individuals. The rules are stricter than those imposed in the original ban. Similarly, the original no-admittance rule for food establishments between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am and the operation of food establishments in shopping centres with a sales area exceeding 5,000 m2 was cancelled by Government Resolution No. 211, which established stricter measures.

10. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN SERVICES, CANCELLATION OF PARKING ZONES, IMPOSING RULES FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS, SKIPPNG PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES AND EXTENSION OF PERMITS AND VISAS

  • Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 214 dated 15 March 2020 as amended by Government Resolution No. 241 dated 16 March2020, as amended by Government Resolution No. 252 dated 18 March 2020 and as amended by Government Resolution No. 248 dated 18 March 2020
  • Takes effect on:                                              
    • 15 March 2020 applicable to the requirements for the establishment of new employment during the state of emergency
    •  16 March 2020 from 6:00 a.m.  applicable to the prohibition to provide certain services and to the cancellation of parking zones
    • 18 March 2020 applicable to the prohibition to admit new patients to spas
    • 19 March 2020 from 0:00 a.m.  applicable to the validity of employment permits
  • Expires on:
    • 24 March  2020 6:00 a.m. applicable to the prohibition to provide certain services and to the cancellation of parking zones
    • 11. 4. 2020 (or until further notice) applicable to the requirements for the establishment of new employment during the state of emergency, skipping perioding medical examinations and the validity of employment permits

Summary: The Government banned the sale of accommodation services; the ban does not apply to parties who provide accommodation in dormitories, school accommodation facilities and spa facilities, for which, however, it imposed a ban on the admission of new patients for spa medical rehabilitation care and treatment (see Resolution No. 252). The Government, by Resolution No. 241, granted another exemption from the ban. The ban no longer applies to the sale and provision of accommodation services to foreigners until they leave the Czech Republic and to foreigners who hold a work permit in the Czech Republic. However, foreigners residing in the Czech Republic are subject to the same restrictions on movement and other emergency measures as Czech citizens. Moreover, the Government suspended driving schools, taxis, with the exception of taxis delivering food or drivers who are licensed to drive taxis, and the operation of self-service laundries and dry cleaners.

Moreover, the Government abolished a regulation by which municipalities define areas in which local roads or designated sections thereof can be used subject to a toll agreed in line with pricing regulations (the abolition of parking zones).

At the same time, the Government has established new rules for entering into employment as of the date of this resolution as follows: (a) the health certificate under the Public Health Protection Act and (b) the assessment of the health fitness of an individual who is seeking employment under the Specific Health Services Act, can be replaced by the Annex to Resolution No. 214. The Government also held that there is no need for periodic medical examinations during the emergency.

By Resolution No. 248, the Government ordered that, for as long as the emergency continues, work permits and Schengen short-term visas (issued prior to the date on which the measure is disclosed, and the validity of which expires no more than 60 days after the end of the emergency) will be extended so that they will expire 60 days after the end of the state of emergency; this measure applies if the employer agrees with the foreigner to extend the basic employment relationship on the basis of which the relevant permit was issued so that the basic employment lasts for the period of validity of the permit that is extended by this measure.

11.  NO FREE MOVEMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND RECOMMENDATION TO EMPLOYERS

Summary: The Government has prohibited the free movement of persons; this prohibition does not apply to commuting to work and other similar activities, necessary trips to family or close relatives, trips necessary for basic necessities (such as purchase of food, medicines and medical devices, sanitary goods, cosmetics and other drugstore goods, animal feed, and other pet supplies), including the needs of relatives and close persons, providing childcare, animal care, necessary financial and postal services, re-fuelling, trips necessary to meet other needs and services for another (such as volunteering, neighbourhood assistance), travel to health care facilities and social services facilities, including ensuring the necessary escort of relatives and close persons, veterinary facilities, trips to deal with urgent official matters, including ensuring the necessary escort of relatives and close persons, trips for the pursuit of occupation or activities to ensure security, internal order and crisis management, health protection, health or social care, including volunteering, individual spiritual care and services, public transport and other infrastructure, services to residents (including supply and delivery services, veterinary care), staying outdoors or in parks, returns to the place of residence, funerals.

The Government ordered people residing in the Czech Republic to limit their movement in publicly accessible places to as little as necessary and to stay in their place of residence, except for what is outlined above (save for funerals) and to limit contacts with other persons to the necessary extent.

At the same time, the Government recommended employers to take advantage of remote work as far as possible if employees can perform their work  at their place of residence, to promote leave and paid leave for employees and similar instruments that are provided for in the collective agreement, and to restrict the performance of work that is not important for the employer. It also recommends keeping a distance of at least 2 meters when contacting other people in public areas (such as when shopping), using non-cash payments on hygienic grounds, limiting direct contact with customers. The Government also requires operators of public services (such as shops, shopping centers, post offices) (a) to provide customers with the opportunity to keep distance of at least 2 meters from other customers; and (b) to ensure increased sanitary measures (especially disinfection).

Commentary: The ban on the free movement of persons throughout the Czech Republic applies to Czech citizens and to all foreigners residing in the Czech Republic until they leave the Czech Republic.

12. PROHIBITION OF SCHOOL EDUCATION, EDUCTIONAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING EDUCATION; OBLIGATION OF REGIONS TO LOOK AFTER CHILDREN OF SELECTED GROUPS OF EMPLOYEES

  • Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 201 of 12 March 2020 in conjunction with Government Resolution No. 219 dated 15 March 2020
  • Takes effect on:          
    • 13 March 2020 applicable to school attendancE
    • 17 March 2020 applicable to childcare
  • Expires on:     
    • 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The Government has banned the personal presence of pupils and students at primary, secondary and tertiary professional education in schools and educational establishments, at basic art education at primary art schools and language education at a language schools (which are authorized to carry out state language examinations) and events organized by these schools. Moreover, the Government has banned the personal presence of pupils and students in collective forms of teaching and examinations at universities. Personal presence in clinical and practical teaching and practice, personal presence in education in one-year foreign language courses with full-time tuition in institutions enrolled in the list of educational institutions providing one-year foreign language courses full-time education under the Act on State Social Support and finally the presence of children, pupils and students and other participants in non-formal education in non-formal education institutions, and competitions and shows organized for children, pupils and students of schools and school facilities according to the School Act is possible.

By its Resolution No. 219, the Government ordered the governors of regions and the Mayor of the City of Prague to identify, where necessary, schools or school facilities established by the region, municipality or voluntary association of municipalities which are to be in charge of looking after children aged 3 to 10 years old (in groups of up to 15 children), whose legal representatives are employees of security forces, municipal police, health service providers, public health authorities and members of the armed forces or teaching or non-teaching staff of designated schools or school facilities; this applies regardless of whether such children are children or pupils of the designated school or school facility.

13. OBLIGATIONS OF THE AUTHORITIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES TO INITIATE LIMITED OPERATIONS DUE TO THE STATE OF EMERGENCY 

Summary: The Government requires public authorities and administrative bodies to limit operations at all their workplaces given the state of emergency. This involves the reduction of work and public service to only any agenda the performance of which must be continuously ensured, including, without limitation, ensuring that public administration and public administration services are operational and are provided respectively to the extent necessary and that the emergency tasks imposed by the Czech Government are fulfilled; any other agenda is to be carried out only to the extent that it does not jeopardize the following measures necessary to protect the health of civil servants, limitation of personal contact of employees with addressees of public administration (with applicants, other parties to administrative proceedings) and other third-party personnel to the absolutely necessary level; contact is to be restricted as follows, without limitation: (a) limiting or suspending the exercise of the relevant agenda that does not fall under the definition referred to in point I/1 of the Resolution if the exercise thereof would endanger staff health protection measures; (b) replacing personal contact by written, electronic or by telephone contact wherever possible, including contact with other employees; wherever possible, electronic communication shall be preferred; (d) where contacts are made with employees of other authorities and institutions, by taking measures to prevent direct contact; (e) the measures outlined above shall apply with necessary modifications to the internal contact of staff within the institution. Moreover, the Government requires the authorities to limit the scope of office hours to Monday and Wednesday to the maximum of three hours a day; the authorities shall inform and publish their business hours in an appropriate manner on their official bulletin boards, ensuring the operation of the individual departments of the institution always by the lowest possible number of employees present at the workplace, ensuring the authority’s operability in such a manner so that a quarantine measure, if any, does not jeopardize the authority’s ability to act (such as rotation of separate groups of staff, teleworking).

14.  TAX MEASURES RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY

Summary: The Government approved a general waiver of tax- and levy-related interests and charges, whereunder the Minister of Finance will grant a “general pardon” and waive tax- and levy-related interests and charges, including, without limitation: (a) waiver of the fine for late tax claims in all cases where, upon the taxpayer’s request, late payment interest or tax due is waived or deferred (postponed) respectively on coronavirus-related grounds; (b) waiver of income tax related interest and charges to ensure that tax returns can be filed and tax paid by 1 July 2020; (c) waiver of fines for delayed filing of VAT status reports in the amount of CZK 1,000 established between March 1 and July 31, 2020 and (d) waiver of the administrative fee for filing an application for tax deferral or for tax instalment schedule, application for waiver of the default interest or on the delayed payment, and the application for a waiver of the penalty for failure to submit a VAT status report; this applies across-the-board to all applications filed between the effective date of the general pardon and 31 July 2020.

The Government also approved that the General Financial Directorate shall issue a methodological guideline that will take into account the possibility of individual remission of late-payment interest, deferred-amount interest and the waiver of the penalty for failure to file a VAT status report due to the coronavirus emergency; moreover, methodologically managed authorities will be encouraged to apply maximum lenience and tolerance in relation to tax parties given their individual situation, especially where the authority may decide at its own discretion on imposing and collecting penalties (such as sales record-related fines, fines for the failure to report, etc.).

The Government has agreed that the Ministry of Finance and the General Financial Directorate, in cooperation with business associations, shall make available as much information as possible on the tools to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus emergency. The mitigation tolls provide taxpayers with the following opportunities, without limitation: (a) the opportunity to apply for tax payment deferral (b) the opportunity to request an adjustment of the amount of advances or an exemption from the obligation to pay tax advances; (c) the opportunity to request remission of interest and penalties for a failure to submit a VAT status report, and (d) the opportunity to apply for extension of the deadline for filing the tax return  (and hence the deadline for paying the tax). At the same time, the Government approved presenting information on the opportunities that taxpayers can take advantage of to reduce the need for personal contact with the authorities (such as electronic filing, cashless payments, setting up a data box, using a representative, etc.) when fulfilling their tax obligations.

15.  TRACKING RULES          

Summary: The Government approved the establishment of rules and a legal framework for indicative tracking of the whereabouts of persons in which COVID-19 has been demonstrably confirmed, with such tracking to take place during a reporting period and subject to their informed consent. The Minister of Health is the party in charge of implementing the measure.

16. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS’ EMERGENCY PACKAGE

Summary: The Government took note of the emergency package announced by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs for urgent assistance to Czech exporters to foreign markets. Details are available on the Ministry’s website: https://www.businessinfo.cz/clanky/mzv-vyhlasuje-nouzovy-balicek-nalehave-pomoci-pro-ceske-vyvozce-na-zahranicni-trhy/.

17. COVID GUARANTEE

Summary: The Government acknowledged the document "Support for self-employed entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized businesses affected by the anti-coronavirus measures". Information on this program is available on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Trade: www.mpo.cz.

18. NO HOLIDAYS FOR HEALTHCARE STAFF

Summary: The Government prohibits all employees carrying out the medical profession of a physician, dentist and pharmacist from taking leave during the coronavirus emergency.

19.  DUTY OF MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO DRAFT FINAL DRAFT  GOVERNMENT REGULATION WHICH SHALL ESTABLISH, FOR PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL LAW, WHICH DISEASE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTAGIOUS HUMAN DISEASE, A CONTAGIOUS ANIMAL DISEASE, A CONTAGIOUS PLANT  DISEASE AND WHICH PESTS ARE CONSIDERED COMMERCIAL PLANT PESTS

Commentary: An offense is punishable only if its criminality is established by law before it is committed. Therefore, the legislation which is to be amended will, in principle, have effects only in the future and will not apply to the conduct of parties prior to its effectiveness (unless this would be of benefit to the perpetrator, which we do not believe to be the case)

20. NO VISITS IN PRISONS, CUSTODY PRISON AND INSTITUTIONS FOR THE CARYYING OUT OF SECURITY DETENTION THROUGHOUT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

21. DUTY OF THE DEPUTY PM, THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE AND THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT TO ENABLE PASSAGE TO VEHICLES WHICH ARE PROHIBITED UNDER § 43 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT

22. DUTY OF THE HEALTH MINISTER TO SUBMIT ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS APPLICATIONS FOR BUDGETARY MEASURES FROM THE CHAPTER OF GENERAL CASH ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNMENT BUDGET RESERVE ITEM

23. IMPOSING WORK DUTY ON STUDENTS IN SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE EMERGENCY AND SUSPENSION OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS’ OPERATIONS

24. POSTPONING VOTE IN SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTION TO THE SENATE IN ELECTION CIRCUIT NO. 32

25. IMPOSING DUTY TO WORK ON MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE STUDENTS DURING THE EMERGENCY  

26. PROHIBITION TO LEAVE THE PREMISES OR AREA OF A SOCIAL SERVICE FACILITY WHERE SOCIAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED UNDER THE SOCIAL SERVICES ACT 

27. PROHIBITION ON SECURITY FORCE STAFF TO ENGAGE IN ANY OTHER EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES THEY MAY PERFORM UNDER SECTION 48(2) AND (3) OF THE ACT ON SERVICE IN SECURITY FORCES

Commentary: With a few exceptions, we do not list resolutions or orders of the Czech Government which were adopted during the emergency, but which are not emergency measures (such as Resolutions Nos. 195, 196, 202, 221-236, 244-246).

[1]  An overview of exemptions made thus far is available at https://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/cestovani-po-dobu-nouzoveho-stavu.aspx.

[2] https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/staty-sveta-s-vysokym-rizikem-prenosu-nakazy/

[3] The summary of exemptions so far granted is available here: https://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/cestovani-po-dobu-nouzoveho-stavu.aspx.

[4] Such as hairdressers.