As planned, the Czech Republic entered a state of emergency on Monday, a move the government delayed in order to allow country-wide elections to take place over the weekend. The special legal status allows the government to sidestep usual procedures in order to procure items it needs to protect the population and its emergency and health services employees more efficiently. The state of emergency will last for 30 days, while the new restrictions that went into effect on Monday will be up for review in two weeks. The new measures include the closing of secondary schools in high-risk regions for two weeks and limits on indoor events to a maximum of 10 people. No more than 20 people are allowed to take part in outdoor events. The government is clearly trying to avoid shutting down the economy again, so it’s allowing restaurants to remain open as long as no more than six people sit at a single table. Otherwise, fitness centers, aquaparks can remain open, while theaters and movies can play for up to 500 people. Sporting events can go ahead without fans, but operas and musicals are forbidden.
