The government is set to tighten coronavirus measures on Friday morning. According to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš(ANO), the changes will be substantial. There is speculation that only those who have been vaccinated or who have had a covid will be allowed to go into restaurants.
“The measures we should approve tomorrow could be quite substantial,” Prime Minister Babiš said on Thursday morning. He did not want to hint at specific changes.
Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (for ANO) said he would discuss the changes with representatives of the future government together (ODS, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09) and the Pirates with the Mayors and Independents (STAN).Both Babiš and Vojtěch also rejected on Wednesday that there would be closures. He said the government would need a state of emergency to introduce them.
The epidemiological situation has been worsening in recent days. The number of newly infected people is jumping by the thousands, and the number of hospitalised and dead is also rising.The Interdisciplinary Group on Epidemic Situations (MeSES) already warned on Wednesday that it would get worse. It said that all efforts must now be made to avert the worst-case scenario. In particular, it suggested allowing greater access to testing, which is now being restricted by the cabinet.
“It is therefore incumbent on the government to respond to the current situation and avoid the negative consequences of the epidemic. Citizens must not become victims of a political situation of post-election transfer of power in which no one is willing to take responsibility for the next steps, ” the group’s statement reads.