Czech Republic Adds Cyprus and Poland to High-Risk COVID-19 Category
The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Health has updated the list of high-risk COVID-19 countries based on the data provided by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
According to the new change in measures, from Monday, March 22, Cyprus and Poland will be part of the countries in the dark red category, where the COVID-19 is widely spread. Denmark, Norway, and Slovenia will be placed in the red category, and Ireland will move to the orange list.
Previously, the Czech Republic added Greece, Latvia, and Andorra, the Spanish Balearic Islands, as well as Spain, Portugal, and Madeira to the list of countries with a high risk of COVID-19.
While announcing the new measures for arrivals from these areas, the Czech Republic Ministry of Health noted that all persons returning from a country placed in the dark red category, such as Poland and Cyprus, are obliged to fill in the Arrival Form and submit a negative Coronavirus test.
The PCR test should not be older than 72 hours. Afterward, it is mandatory to undergo a second PCR after the fifth day of entering the country and stay self-isolated until a second negative test is submitted.
Countries in Red Category
Except for the Denmark, Norway, and Slovenia that have been newly added to the red category, the group already includes Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Monaco, Italy, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, Spain, and the Canary Islands.
All persons returning from a country placed in the red category have to submit the antigen or PCR test results and fill in the Arrival Form. The rapid test must not be older than 24 hours, and the PCR test must not be older than 72 hours.
Additionally, after the 5th day after entry in the Czech Republic, each person must undergo a PCR test and stay self-isolated until receiving the results, AtoZSerwisPlus.pl reports.
Countries in Orange & Green Category
Similar to the other two categories, all passengers returning to the Czech Republic from a country listed in the orange category have to undergo the same measures. This category includes Ireland, Portugal, and the Azores and Balearic Islands.
Employees and students are obliged to submit the test results to the employer or the school if they are returning from any country listed in the dark red, red, or orange category.
As a preventative measure, all persons must wear medical masks for two weeks when away from home.
Apart from the above-mentioned groups, persons from countries placed in the green category do not have to apply any of the requirements mentioned above. The green category currently includes Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vatican City.
Considering the widespread of the COVID-19 mutations across Europe, ECDC suggests that all persons postpone their travel plans unless it is essential.
The Czech Ministry of Health has also banned travel to countries with an extremely high risk of spreading the so-called South African mutation of the Coronavirus. The ban has been effective since February 26 for Botswana, Brazil, Swaziland, South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
