What categories have foreign countries newly been divided into based on the risk of infection?

The new protective measure of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic distinguishes between five categories of countries:

• low-risk countries (green)

• medium-risk countries (orange)

• high-risk countries (red)

• very-high-risk countries (dark red)

• extreme-risk countries (black)

• LOW RISK (green): Travellers can come to the Czech Republic from these countries without any restrictions.

• HIGH RISK (red): Before traveling to the Czech Republic, foreigners traveling from these countries must fill in an arrival form and undergo an antigen or PCR test, administered no more than 24 hours (antigen) or 72 hours (PCR) before the beginning of the trip and have a written confirmation of the result. Subsequently, they must undergo a second PCR test (antigen is not sufficient) administered in the Czech Republic, no later than 5 days after arrival. Self-isolation is required until confirmation of a negative test result. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 (KN95, N95, P2, DS) respirator everywhere outside the home for 14 days after arrival. / Czech citizens and residents completely vaccinated in the Czech Republic can return to the Czech Republic without the need for a test or quarantine. At least 14 days must have passed since the completion of the vaccination. / Czech citizens, their family members, EU citizens with a certificate of temporary residence and foreigners with a permanent residence permit must fill in an arrival form before entering the Czech Republic and, if arriving by public transport, undergo an antigen or PCR test, administered no more than 24 hours (antigen) or 72 hours (PCR) before the beginning of the trip and have a written confirmation of the result. Subsequently, they must undergo a second PCR test (antigen is not sufficient) administered in the Czech Republic, no later than 5 days after arrival. Self-isolation is required until confirmation of a negative test result. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 (KN95, N95, P2, DS) respirator everywhere outside the home for 14 days after arrival. / Czech citizens, their family members, EU citizens with a certificate of temporary residence and foreigners with a permanent residence permit entering the Czech Republic by private transport must undergo a PCR test (antigen is not sufficient) administered in the Czech Republic, no later than 5 days after arrival. Before entering the Czech Republic, they must fill in an arrival form. Self-isolation is required until confirmation of a negative test result. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 (KN95, N95, P2, DS) respirator everywhere outside the home for 14 days after arrival.

• VERY HIGH RISK -  (dark red): Before traveling to the Czech Republic, foreigners traveling from these countries must fill in an arrival form and undergo a PCR test (antigen is not sufficient), administered no more than 72 hours before the beginning of the trip and have a written confirmation of the result. Subsequently, they must submit a second PCR test (antigen is not sufficient) administered in the Czech Republic, which can be administered no earlier than the 5^th day and no later than the 14^th day after entry. Self-isolation is required until confirmation of a negative test result. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 (KN95, N95, P2, DS) respirator everywhere outside the home for 14 days after arrival. / Czech citizens, their family members, EU citizens with a certificate of temporary residence and foreigners with a permanent residence permit must fill in an arrival form before entering the Czech Republic and undergo an antigen or PCR test, administered no more than 24 hours (antigen) or 72 hours (PCR) before the beginning of the trip and have a written confirmation of the result. Subsequently, they must submit a second PCR test (antigen is not sufficient) administered in the Czech Republic, which can be administered no earlier than the 5^th day and no later than the 14^th day after entry. Self-isolation is required until confirmation of a negative test result. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 (KN95, N95, P2, DS) respirator everywhere outside the home for 14 days after arrival.

• EXTREME RISK (black): All citizens of the Czech Republic and foreigners residing in the Czech Republic are prohibited from entering countries with an extreme risk of contracting COVID-19 caused by new mutations of the virus. This does not apply to citizens of these countries and to journeys which, due to their nature, cannot be postponed and which have been notified in advance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Those who violate the prohibition risk being fined under the Public Health Protection Act.

  Notes:

  The testing period is calculated from the time the test was taken to the start of the journey. For example, confirmation of a negative PCR test must not be older than 72 hours before departure from the destination.

  Foreigners can come to the Czech Republic only on the grounds of essential reasons, not for tourism or visiting friends. The new protective measure is valid until further notice.

  Czech citizens, their family members, EU citizens with a certificate of temporary residence and foreigners with a permanent residence permit, whose test showed the presence of coronavirus less than 14 days before the planned entry into the Czech Republic, must travel to and then within the Czech Republic by private transport, if possible. In case of travel by public transport, the carrier must be informed about a possible persistent COVID-19 infection prior to the start of the journey and, regardless of the mode of transport, the traveller must inform the healthcare professionals who administer the coronavirus test and the locally competent regional hygiene station after entering the Czech Republic. Travellers are also obliged to observe the rules of isolation after entering the Czech Republic, for a period of 3 days after symptoms have dissipated, but for at least 14 days from the first positive coronavirus test, unless the regional hygiene station decides otherwise.

  Rules for Czech citizens and foreigners residing in the Czech Republic.

  The testing period is calculated from the time the test was taken to the start of the journey. For example, confirmation of a negative PCR test must not be older than 72 hours before departure from the destination.

  Foreigners can come to the Czech Republic only on the grounds of essential reasons, not for tourism or visiting friends. The new protective measure is valid until further notice.

• There will be exceptions applicable to these rules, especially in regard to the international transport and regular cross-border movement for the purpose of work, study and childcare.

• The journeys of Czech citizens from the Czech Republic for other reasons than those absolutely essential continue to be strongly discouraged.

• As of January 31^st, 2021 there is in force a crisis measure to restrict free movement prohibiting all journeys of foreign nationals to the Czech Republic for other reasons than those absolutely essential

• The general rules are laid out in the table below. More detailed information will follow. Detailed information of MoI.

• The entry into the territory of the Czech Republic: cestovani.covid19@mvcr.cz