The Czech government has decided to begin turning on the economy again, but the pace is being described as overly cautious by numerous businesses that are near the end of their financial reserves. As of next Monday, farmers markets will be allowed to open as will craftsmen and car dealerships but it won’t be until April 27 that stores of up 200 sqm will be allowed to open — so long as they’re not in a shopping center that’s larger than 5,000 sqm. The government’s strategy is to leave two weeks between each step so that it can quantify the impact it has on the pace of COVID-19 infections. That means that shops of up to 1,000 sqm will be allowed to open on May 11 (so long as they’re not in shopping centers larger than 5,000 sqm) as will fitness centers. On May 25, restaurants with outdoor garden seating can begin serving guests and people can return to their hairdressers and beauty salons. Shopping centers and hotels will have to wait until June 8 to reopen for business, however, which is the same day that restaurants, bars and cafes will see life finally return to normal. Events with up to 50 people are also planned to be allowed as of that day and taxis should also get the green light. Government officials warned, however, that the schedule is subject to delay, depending on the impact it has on the daily number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19, which has fallen into double figures in recent days.
