The Czech Republic is just a small step from returning to Level 4 on its pandemic warning system, which would again require the closing of restaurants and stores. Following the publication of video of a restaurant in Prague where a party continued until the early morning hours on Sunday, Vice premier Karel Havlicek warned business owners to be disciplined. The Minister of Health Jan Blatny has called on police to crack down on restaurants that stay open past the 10:00 pm closing time or who have more than four people per table. In reaction to protests against restrictions, Havlicek said the government wasn’t implementing them because just to make life difficult for people. “It’s because we’d like life to be able to return to normal as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we’re not in that situation.” Non-essential stores, restaurants and hotels were given the go-ahead to open on Thursday, having been shut since October 14. Economists warn that the impact of a new lockdown before Christmas could be catastrophic for a wide range of retailers, service providers and the accommodations sector.
