Research Article

The Impact of the COVID-19 Movement Restrictions on the Road Traffic in the Czech Republic during the State of Emergency

Table 1

Key resolutions and antiepidemic measures (only key ones are listed; “effective to” dates were omitted, as the measures were repeatedly extended).

Issued on (administrative number)Effective fromKey antiepidemic measures

12 March 2020 (G no. 194)12 March 2020 2:00 p.m.Declaration of the state of emergency in the territory of the Czech Republic
12 March 2020 (G no. 200)14 March 0:00Prohibition of international passenger transport using vehicles with a capacity of more than 9 passengers (however, the occasional return to the Czech Republic by means of vehicles with a capacity of more than 9 passengers is allowed, as well as transportation of empty buses back)
12 March 2020 (G no. 201)13 March 0:00School closure, i.e., “prohibition of school attendance in person by pupils and students”
13 March 2020 (G no. 203)16 March 0:00Czech borders closed in both directions
13 March 2020 (G no. 205)Not statedCancellation of Sunday’s lorry ban, which had been permanently effective until then
13 March 2020 (G no. 208)14 March 6:00Prohibition of selected leisure activities (e.g., presence at swimming pools and sports venues) and of selling on the markets
14 March 2020 (G no. 211)14 March 6:00Prohibition of retail sales and restaurant operation (with exceptions including groceries and medicaments)
15 March 2020 (G no. 215)16 March 0:00Prohibition of free movement of persons (with a number of exceptions including business travel, dealing with family-related affairs, healthcare consumption, and nature walks)
Local antiepidemic measure16 March 0:00Quarantine order and closure of the towns of Litovel and Uničov and strict prohibition of free movement of persons in these areas
18 March 2020 (G no. 247)19 March 0:00Obligation to use face masks (or similar coverings) in the entire territory of the Czech Republic
23 March 2020 (G no. 279, MH no. 12745/2020-1)24 March 6:00Recommendation for employers to embrace work-from-home solutions
6 April 2020 (MH no. 15190)7 April 0:00/9 April 0:00Commencement of loosening of restrictions (DIY retail stores and building supply stores were reopened (as of 9 April), as well as bicycle repair shops, homeware stores, etc.; outside sports venues reopened)
15 April 2020 (MH no. 16195)20 April 0:00Permission to hold small weddings and to perform professional sports activities
23 April 2020 (G no. 452)24 April 0:00Loosening of restriction of free movement of persons (Meeting was possible for groups of up to 10 persons)
23 April 2020 (G no. 453)27 April 0:00Reopening of business premises up to 2,500 m2
30 April 2020 (G no. 490, 493)11 May 0:00Reopening of larger business premises; permission to hold cultural and religious events and sports activities of up to 100 persons; allowing only outdoor restaurant patios
30 April 2020 (G no. 485)18 May 0:00State of emergency terminated
18 May 2020 (G no. 555 Annex 1, 2)25 May 0:00Permission to hold cultural and religious events and sports activities of up to 300 persons; restaurants reopened between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
1 June 2020 (G no. 605 Annex 4)8 June 0:00Permission to hold cultural and religious events and sports activities of up to 500 persons
1 June 2020 (G no. 605 Annex 2)15 June 0:00Granting permission to travel abroad and back; some remaining restrictions removed; no considerable impact on schools, since summer holiday period (July-August) was ahead