Babis in talks with opposition to extend state of emergency

Before noon today, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will hold a video conference with opposition leaders to support the Chamber of Deputies in extending the state of emergency by 30 days.

Deputies will vote on the government’s request on Friday, while the opposition is opposed to it. If it does not support it, the state of emergency declared due to measures against coronavirus spread on 28 March will end.

Part of the opposition calls for the lifting of the ban on movement between districts so that it is possible to travel to their cottages. The Coalition Together proposed the return of the first children from distance learning to schools from 12 April.

The government approved a request for deputies to end the state of emergency in the Czech Republic instead of 28 March on 27 April. The state of emergency in the Czech Republic would thus last continuously for more than half a year.

The Minister of Health Jan Blatný proposed the extension of the state of emergency because he wants to maintain strict anti-epidemic restrictions, including a ban on travel between districts and Easter holidays, at least until the first Monday in April. According to Blatný and Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček (ČSSD), the epidemic is so strong so far that it cannot be managed with standard measures. Blatný stated that when the state of emergency ends, they will follow the pandemic law. According to the minister, the country will need several more measures.