Only foreigners will now be required to have PCR tests for COVID-19 before entering the Czech Republic, even from green and orange countries on the so-called traveler’s map. Nothing will change for Czech citizens or foreigners with temporary or permanent residence in the Czech Republic. This was announced this evening by the Ministry of Health, which changed its original statement.
The ministry initially announced that starting Monday, December 27, tests will now be mandatory for travel by people from countries with a low and medium risk of infection and that from January 3, the measure will also apply to Czech citizens and other groups of people included in the exceptions to the regulation.
The Ministry of Health updates a list of countries each week based on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) data according to the level of risk of coronavirus infection. In the meantime, countries at low and medium risk, i.e., those marked green and orange on the traveler’s map, must be tested for COVID-19 within five days of entering the Czech Republic.
People traveling by public transport must be tested before traveling from countries at high and very high risk of infection (those marked in red and dark red). When traveling individually, they can be tested after arrival but must wear a respirator outside the home until they receive a negative test result.
In addition, travelers must complete an arrival form when returning from all countries unless traveling by individual transport.