Monday news summary

Traffic has almost stopped due to snow

Snow complicates the operation of trains in the Czech Republic this morning. For example, passenger trains do not run between Prague and Benešov or in the Kolín region. According to the website of the Prague Integrated Transport, the operation of more than a dozen suburban buses is stopped due to impaired road passability. These are lines connecting the capital with Kostelec nad Černými lesy and Nový Knín. The operation of other lines can be considerably limited, passengers have to expect a significant delay across the entire network.

From March, people over 60 could register for vaccination

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) will propose that the registration and reservation for vaccination against Covid-19 be opened for people over the age of 60 from March. According to him, it should be debated this week. Currently, only health professionals, seniors over the age of 80, and clients and employees in nursing homes and homes with special regimes are vaccinated.

The government will at Monday's meeting address people's motivations not to avoid tests and quarantine, will probably approve a request to extend the state of emergency, but will also discuss a possible partial opening of schools from March, proposed by Education Minister Robert Plaga (for ANO).

Schools may partially reopen in March

The final year students of secondary schools could return to the benches in March with the introduction of regular testing of pupils and school staff. The proposal comes from the Minister of Education Robert Plaga (for ANO). According to him, the testing should be done regularly every seven to 14 days by so-called non-invasive RT-PCR tests, for example from saliva. In the next phase, testing could be extended to high school students in fields with practical training.

The Senate raised a Belarussian flag at the weekend

The historic flag of Belarus was flown over the Wallenstein Palace in Prague to commemorate half a year after the disputed presidential elections in Belarus at the weekend. By posting it, the Senate wants to express solidarity with the Belarusian opposition. Sviatlana Cichanouska, one of the most visible faces of the Belarusian opposition, recently called for expressions of solidarity with the Belarusian people on her Twitter account. Other institutions in the Czech Republic joined the Senate.