The Czech Republic embarks upon the most ambitious loosening of pandemic-related restrictions today as it will at last be legal for stores in shopping centers to open as well as stores larger than 2,500 sqm. For the last two weeks, only free-standing stores of less than 2,500 sqm have been able to open, but today’s changes will not apply to restaurants, cafes and bars. Customers will be able to try on items of clothing from today as long as they disinfect their hands first, while any items they return will have to be set aside for 24 hours before being placed back in the racks for resale. Shopping centers will be required to provide hand disinfectant dispensers in their buildings and to carry out frequent disinfecting sweeps of their properties. Masks must be worn at all times within buildings and public transportation, but the duty to wear them outside is likely to be relaxed in the coming weeks.
