There are currently over 1 million active cases of coronavirus worldwide with more than 130,000 fatalities as of this morning, but the Czech Republic represents a very small total of that due to the government’s fast response.

Simulation of COVID-19 by @fusion_medical_animation

via unsplash.com

As of this afternoon, there are 5312 active confirmed cases in the country and only 163 people have succumbed to the illness while some 676 have recovered.

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Compare that to states in the US like New York (165,092 active cases and nearly 11,000 dead) or California (23,742 active cases and 789 dead) or EU countries like Italy (104,332 active cases and some 21,109 fatalities) and the Czech Republic is handling this pandemic very well… so well, in fact, that the government is already making plans to slowly re-open the country – though perhaps not to the outside world – and yesterday (Tuesday, April 14th), Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade, and Health Minister Adam Vojtech unveiled their plan to the public.

Image courtesy of mvcr.cz

Bear in mind that this was an optimistic announcement and any of these dates could shift… but here is the rollout as it’s set now, starting with the business/service that many readers will be very interested in:

Schools.

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Schools will be opened gradually. University entrance exams are scheduled for June, so if the so called “flattening of the curve” continues, schools may open as early as May 11th, with kindergartens and primary schools (grade schools) opening on May 25th.

The Ministry of Education expects the first graduation exams to be held after the 1st of June.

Admission exams for secondary schools will also likely begin taking place in June and continuing through the last month of the school year. Students at the second level of primary schools and secondary school students outside their final year may return to school for classes or consultations.

Pre-Schools and Nurseries

These schools were not closed by order of the government, so re-opening is at the discretion of the owners (or city offices). According to the Education Minister re-opening by the 25th of May is possible but these schools or businesses will only be allowed to open if they can meet the conditions and guidelines set by the Ministry of Health.

Below are the estimated re-opening dates for other types of businesses and social events:

April 20

– Car Shows.

– Car Dealerships.

– Weddings (No more than 10 people and with specific hygiene measures in place).

– Farmers Markets.

– Craftspeople (e.g. Locksmiths, Shoe Repair shops, etc.).

– Professional Athletes will be allowed to train in public.

April 27

– Stores up to 200 square meters (except those in shopping centers).

May 11

– Stores up to 1000 square meters (except those in shopping centers).

– Driving Schools

– Gyms and Fitness Centers (showers and dressing rooms will remain closed until further notice).

May 25

Image courtesy of @rainrainbowchou via unsplash.com

– Restaurants, bars, and cafes, (with service from walk-up windows or in gardens).

– Hair/Beauty Salons.

– Tanning Salons.

– Museums, Galleries, Exhibition Halls.

– Zoological gardens (only outdoor sections).

June 8

– Shopping Centers.

– Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars (interior included, though they will have to adhere to social distancing guidelines according to the Health Ministry).

– Hotels, Hostels, (including their restaurants).

– Theaters.

– Castles and Palaces.

– Bookstores.

– Cinemas and Theaters.

– Events for up to 50 people.

– Tattoo and Piercing Salons.

Other info:

Currently, the borders are to remain closed until April 24th with an extension of that closure possible. The opening and return of air travel will be dependent on a number of factors, not least of which are the rules and opening of destination countries or cities.

For more information, you may visit the Ministry by clicking here: https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/default.aspx

What are your thoughts on all of this? With people getting a bit stir crazy, will you be one of the first to venture out to a restaurant? A movie theater? Let us know in the comments below.