The Czech Republic has been winning praise for its successful battle with the novel coronavirus. But internal divisions over the measures taken to keep the infection rate down and at times erratic methods of the government could bring a sudden, unexpected end to the restrictions. The official state of emergency that was approved by parliament at the beginning of April ends May 1. Without it, there’s no legal framework for many of the measures that are thought to have helped prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include the banning of meetings of more than 10 people, the forced closure of stores of more than 2,500 sqm as well as the country’s international borders. “The validity of the crisis measures would end with the cancellation of the state of emergency,” deputy Minister of Interior Petr Mlsna. He told Novinky.cz that basic rights and freedoms can only be restricted during an officially declared state of emergency. Whether or not the country will continue loosening restrictive measures gradually through the end of the month, or whether it risks opening up society all at once should be decided today in parliament. Vote counters claim at the moment that the government does not have the support it needs to extend the state of emergency.
