PRAGUE (THE CZECH REPUBLIC) – The Czech government will meet on Thursday to come to a decision about tougher lockdown restrictions to tackle one of the world’s fastest spreads of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Wednesday hospitals faced “catastrophe” if they fail to take any action.
His minority government met late into the evening on Wednesday and will convene again on Thursday evening after talks with opposition parties to rope in support.
The central European country of 10.7 million has ben grappling with a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases, imposing strain on hospitals as the number of patients in serious condition hits records.
Industry Minister Karel Havlicek told financial daily Hospodarske Noviny factory curbs were “not on the table”.
Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said on Twitter after Wednesday’s meeting any tightening would be part of its plan to extend the government’s state of emergency powers into March.
The total case tally of 1.198 million infections since last March and 19,835 deaths, which rose from 700 at the start of October. It is also among the highest in the world on a per capita basis.