With the coronavirus epidemic threatening to spiral out of control, the Czech government on Monday ordered blanket testing of employees in companies around the country. The decision has seen thousands of firms scrambling to secure tests for over two million people.
Photo: ČTK / David Taneček
So far the government’s counter-epidemic strategy has proved woefully inadequate and Covid numbers have been soaring. With the country’s health system on the brink of collapse the government is making a last ditch effort to bring down the numbers, acting simultaneously along two lines –curbing mobility by banning travel between districts and ordering massive testing of employees around the country.
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