Tighter measures possible, shops to stay open

If the epidemiological situation continues to worsen, the government will consider tightening the anti-coronavirus measures on Monday.

Right now, the country is at level three of the anti-epidemic PES system (with additional measures concerning pubs and restaurants in place). However, since Sunday, December 6, the risk score has constantly stayed over 60 - which would correspond to a stricter fourth degree.

According to the Minister of Health Jan Blatný (for ANO), if the cabinet decides to switch to level four on Monday, all shops would still remain open - so that large chains would not be favored over smaller vendors. The change would not also be immediate, so people and businesses could prepare for it.

In the past, the Ministry justified the closure of most shops (other than groceries, drugstores, pharmacies, etc.) by needing to limit interpersonal contacts and mobility as much as possible. At the same time, this decision was widely criticized because supermarkets were able to sell goods (for example clothes) that other stores could not.