Shopping centers will open for business again on Thursday following the Czech government’s decision over the weekend to reduce the Covid-19 alert level from four to three. Not just stores but restaurants and outdoor markets will again be allowed to operate after weeks over forced closures to combat the second wave of the pandemic. The current rules limiting the number of shoppers to just 1 per 15 sqm of retail space will remain in place, angering retailers who say the European-standard of 1 person per 10 would suffice. But there’s still relief from across the retail sector that stores will get at least the three last weeks before Christmas to sell off their inventories. The chairman of the Association of Shopping Centers Jan Kubicek welcomed the decision, reiterating that malls in the country are safe. “Retailers are well-stocked and they have special offers for customers,” he said. “Shopping in malls is still the simplest way to buy all your presents for Christmas at once,” he said.
