Corona Crisis – Czech Republic and Slovakia: First Model Students – now Corona hotspots – News

In view of the increase in crown numbers, both Slovakia and the Czech Republic want to re-impose a state of emergency.

Today, Wednesday, the governments of Prague and Bratislava will decide whether to restore the state of emergency in their countries. This in view of the increasing number of people who have tested positive. The two countries managed to control the first wave very quickly in the spring and were considered “model students” of Corona in Europe.

But in recent days the numbers have skyrocketed, especially in the Czech Republic. The capital city of Prague is the access point. Meanwhile, the caution with which the Czechs set European standards in the spring has faded. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced a special meeting of his government to declare a state of emergency. However, it has not yet released any information on the specific effects and possible tightening of the rules.

At the end of May, the Prague government had already imposed a crown of state of emergency for two months in the Czech Republic. Among other things, this allows the government to suspend civil rights such as freedom of assembly. Courts can also impose higher sentences during this time.

Regional elections despite an emergency

In the Czech Republic, regional and supplementary elections will be held on Friday and Saturday in one third of the electoral districts of the Senate, the upper house of parliament. The government had recently ruled out a postponement. Mouth and nose must be covered when voting. Critics recently accused the government of failing to toughen the crown’s measures so as not to upset its voters.

On Saturday, several hundred people protested in front of the Ministry of Health in Prague against the Crown measures that, in their opinion, were too strict. The “Civil Dissatisfaction Movement” (Hnutí občanské nespokojenosti) had called for the demonstration.

The Czech Republic has 10.7 million inhabitants. Since the start of the pandemic, authorities have reported 65,313 confirmed cases and 615 infected people have died.

Dangerous situation in Slovakia

The government of Bratislava also wants to take the decision tomorrow to impose the state of emergency for the second time due to the pandemic. ‘The situation is extremely dangerous. I think we have to take fundamental and very strong measures, ”Prime Minister Igor Matovic said. On Friday, the country reported a record increase with 552 new infections recorded in 24 hours.

The Bratislava government plans to ban sporting and cultural events, as well as religious services from October 1. Weddings and funerals should only be allowed if all participants can show a negative crown test. Restaurants, bars and cafes must close at 10 pm (currently at 11 pm). According to the new rules, people who do not live in the same household and come within two meters of each other must also wear a protective mask on the street or in the park.

Slovakia has 5.4 million inhabitants. Since the pandemic began, 9,343 coronavirus infections have been reported in the country and 44 people have died.