Health Alert: Czech Republic, COVID Restrictions Reinstated

• Czech Republic has 602,404 confirmed cases (cumulative), 522,649 recoveries, 10,036, and 3,437,505 samples tested.
• As a result of the rise in COVID-19 cases and the State of Emergency, additional restrictive measures have been put in place. 
  • Due to the crisis measures issued by the Government of the Czech Republic, it is not possible for U.S. citizens to travel to the Czech Republic for the purpose of tourism or visiting friends.
  • As of December 18,  restaurants, bars, hotels, zoos, museums, gyms and swimming pools will again close.  Takeaway and delivery food service can still operate however and most shops and services are allowed to stay open, with strict facemask policies and social distancing requirements in place. No more than six people will be allowed to gather.
  • Also as of December 18, the nighttime curfew from 11pm to 5am will be reinstated. All movement is banned with the exception of travel to and from work, conducting business activities, or urgent travel.  The curfew and all current crisis measures under the State of Emergency have been extended until midnight, December 22.
  • As of October 21, 2020, masks will be required outside in urban areas if 2-meter social distancing cannot be maintained and in cars if passengers are not related.  Masks are required on ALL forms of public transport, including at transit stations, and in all indoor premises (except place of residence).
  • As more countries list the Czech Republic as a high risk country and place restrictions on travel, please visit the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance of traveling abroad.
  • For specific information about the re-openings and all public health requirements in English, please visit the Czech Ministry of Health website.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? NO
• In general, entry of U.S. citizens into the Czech Republic remains restricted. For the most up-to-date information in English regarding entries of foreign nationals into the Czech Republic, go to the Czech Ministry of Interior site here or dial +420 704 844 583 for information in English. On the Ministry of Interior website, please refer to the PDF table entitled “Conditions for entry of persons to the Czech territory” valid from December 3, 2020.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? NO, but you must undergo a RT-PCR COVID-19 test (at your own expense) within five (5) days of entry to the Czech Republic.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? YES 
  • • Beginning September 21, 2020 all travelers arriving to the Czech Republic from a risk country (those not on the list of safe countries approved by the Ministry of Health) are required to complete an online Public Health Passenger Locator Form before entering the country.  More details can be found at the Czech Ministry of Interior webpage.
• For information on the legal status of foreigners in the Czech Republic, please visit the MFA web site here. For general information regarding visas and residency permits in the Czech Republic, visit https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx

Movement Restrictions:

• Is a curfew in place? NO.
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? YES

Quarantine Information:

• Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? YES, if unable to undergo a COVID-19 test within five days of entry (see below).
• Foreigners entering the Czech Republic from a “red” zone country (including the United States) are required to contact a regional hygiene station according to their place of stay after entry, to undergo a RT-PCR COVID-19 test and to submit the test result to the regional hygiene station within five (5) days from entry, otherwise, a necessary self-quarantine measure of 10 days shall be ordered.

COVID-19 Testing:

• For an updated list of testing centers in the Czech Republic, please visit https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/seznam-odberovych-center/. Prices for self-pay range from 1,500 CZK – 9,000 CZK depending on the specific center and desired turn-around time.  If possible, consider calling ahead to inquire as to an appropriate time for the test as some of these locations can get quite busy.

Transportation Options:

• Are commercial flights operating? YES
• Is public transportation operating? YES
  • Masks covering mouth and nose are mandatory on ALL forms of public transport, including at stations.

 Fines for Non-Compliance: YES, up to 10,000 Kc ($456)

Consular Operations:

• U.S. Embassy Prague is limiting the number of people who come into the embassy, while prioritizing U.S. citizen emergency cases (lost/stolen passports, reports of birth abroad, etc.).  For an appointment, please visit our website https://cz.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/.  We will resume full American Citizen Services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.
• Notarial services have been suspended due to the ongoing pandemic and State of Emergency in the Czech Republic.
• As of July 15, 2020, U.S. Embassy Prague has resumed certain nonimmigrant visa services, including: B-1, F-1, I, M-1, P, O, E-2, and certain categories of  J-1, H, L. For more information, please visit https://cz.usembassy.gov/visas/

Local Resources:

• Czech COVID epidemic
• Czech Ministry of Interior
• Czech Ministry of Health
• Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
• Czech MFA Emergency FAQ
• Prague Vaclav Havel Airport
• Radio Prague International

Other links:

• COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• World Health Organization
• Travel.state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page