The Czech government has tightened restrictions on the free movement of people by decreeing as of midnight on Thursday by making it illegal to walk outside without covering their noise and mouth. Earlier in the week, it had ordered passengers on public transport and anyone entering a public building to do so with some type of mask, but people could still be seen walking in parks and on sidewalks without masks. The government also decreed that grocery stores and pharmacies will be reserved between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon for people over the age of 65. The government is trying to stay ahead of the curve by ordering aggressive measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus. But critics warn that a lack of preparation is endangering the public. For starters, it’s impossible to buy masks or respirators. This has sparked dozens of online videos giving directions on how to sew them at home. Moreover, since just 7,600 people have been tested for the virus, the number of people confirmed to be COVID-19 positive (572 as of Thursday morning) is certain to be substantially higher.
