In brief
Please find below a summary of measures adopted by the Czech government in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in the Czech Republic, with effect from 22nd October 2020.
Restriction of Free Movement
As of 22 October 2020, 6:00 a.m. until 3 November 2020, 11:59 p.m., the government restricted the free movement of persons in the Czech Republic, with certain exception, e.g.:
- travel to work;
- travel to medical facilities and social care facilities;
- necessary visits by relatives;
- journeys necessary to meet basic necessities of life: purchases of food, medicines, sanitary and medical supplies or animal feed, financial, postal services and waste disposal;
- urgent official matters, including the escort of close persons;
- journeys for the purpose of: provision of health and social care including volunteering, supply, and delivery services;
- journeys/recreational activities/stay in the nature, parks and one’s own recreational facilities and
- journeys with the aim of leaving the territory of the Czech Republic.
Recommendation for Employers
Employers are recommended to (i) allow home office to the maximum possible extent, if the employees may work from home, (ii) allow vacation and paid leave for the employees and other measures implemented by the relevant Collective Bargaining Agreement (if any), and (iii) cease activities that are not crucial for the employer’s operations.
Closure of Retail Stores and Service Providers
Furthermore, all stores and service provides (except from groceries, drugstores, pharmacies, petrol stations, post offices, banks and several other minor exceptions) will be closed as of 22 October 2020, 6:00 a.m. until 3 November 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Governmental Financial Support for Employers
The governmental financial support for employers ‘Antivirus A’ has been prolonged until 31 December 2020, and its terms were improved.
In a situation where an establishment has been closed for public due to a government shut-down order and the employer is not able to assign any other work to its employees, the employees are entitled to a 100% salary reimbursement. The employer will now receive a contribution equal to 100% of such paid salary reimbursement, including health insurance and social security charges (previously 80%). The amount is capped at CZK 50,000 per employee per month (previously CZK 39,000). Note that the employers may not apply for the financial support for those employees who perform work despite the fact that the establishment has been closed for public.
In the course of next week, the government should decide on the prolongation of the financial support for employers ‘Antivirus B’ (currently ending on 31 October 2020) and possible reintroduction of ‘Antivirus C’ (waiver of social security payment for employers under 50 employees).
