Shortly after the start of the inoculation process against Covid-19, hailed by the government as the light at the end of the tunnel, mounting problems with deliveries to the EU have resulted in confusion and uncertainty about the set timetable. As tension mounts, government officials are sending out mixed signals to the public and people’s frustration is growing.
Although news of mounting problems with vaccine deliveries to the EU have been at the forefront of media attention for over a week now, the news that the Health Ministry had ordered Prague and the regions to suspend further vaccinations for a fortnight came as a shock on Wednesday afternoon. In the confusion that followed, Prime Minister Andrej Babis refuted that such an order had been given.
Over the past week, fresh snowfall led to Czechs to take to the mountains in droves, despite ski resorts and trails being closed due to anti-coronavirus restrictions. Against that backdrop, the government is looking at opening the slopes – and other sporting and cultural venues – after the current 30-day state of emergency expires on 22 January, depending on the risk level.
Suffering from cabin fever after months of anti-coronavirus restrictions, Czech tourists over the past week have in some cases literally blazed their own trails on the mountains, skiing, snowboarding, sledding or simply going for a hike.
Photo: ČTK/David Taneček