Czechia Imposes “Dark Red” Category for Countries Profoundly Affected by COVID-19
The Czech Republic has decided to adopt a recommendation of the EU Council, by adding the new dark red category that will include countries with a COVID-19 case notification rate of 500 or more per 100,000 people, to the EU maps of infections.
All persons coming from countries in the dark red category must complete a form and present a negative result of the PCR test upon their arrival in the Czech Republic, AtoZSerwisPlus.Mt reports.
The announcement published by the Czech Republic clarifies that the antigen test result should not be older than 24 hours, while the PCR test result should not be older than 72 hours.
Despite the requirement of a test, arrivals still must self-isolate, and then after five days, they can take a PCR test in the Czech Republic. If they result negative again, they may leave quarantine earlier.
“In connection with the incidence of new mutations of COVID-19 disease, the European Centre has recommended avoiding all non-essential travel. Another reason for the measure is the very high risk of community transmission within Europe,” Czechia’s Health Minister Jan Blatný pointed out.
Arrivals From Red Areas Also Obliged to Test & Self-Isolate
On the red list of countries considered profoundly affected by the spread of the pandemic are Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, France, Lichtenstein, Malta, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden, the Azores, Madeira as well as the Canary Islands.
Arrivals from these countries are also obliged to complete a form and present negative results of the COVID-19 test. The antigen test result should not be older than 24 hours, while the PCR test should not be older than 72 hours.
Five days after arriving in Czechia, travellers from any country included on the COVID-19 red list must undertake a PCR test and stay self-isolated until they get the result.
No Quarantine for Arrivals From Orange Areas
Citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Greece will have to complete an arrival form and present a negative result of the Coronavirus test when entering Czechia, as these countries are included on the orange COVID-19 list.
“All persons who have returned from a country in the yellow, red or dark red category are ideally obliged to wear a respirator without an exhalation valve in at least class FFP2, KN95, N95, P2, DS or at least a disposable surgical mask anywhere outside their home for a period of 10 days after arrival,” the Chief Public Health Officer of Czechia, Jarmila Rážová pointed out.
Last month, Czechia moved Austria and Hungary to the orange COVID-19 list, allowing these countries’ citizens to enter the Czech Republic without being subject to any restrictions.
