Covid is tearing the Czech Republic apart

The Covid-19 situation is rapidly deteriorating in the Czech Republic, with new efforts to stop the spread of the virus descending into bitter rows and a climate of cynicism and fear. In a government press conference held late on Friday night, harsher measures were announced to tackle the alarming spread of the ‘British variant’ of coronavirus in the Czech Republic. These restrictions included the closure of more shops and services, the closing of primary schools and nurseries, the reintroduction of mandatory face mask wearing outside, and a ban on movement between municipalities.

Cases and deaths have risen to new heights in recent weeks, leaving Czech hospitals on the verge of collapse. More people are in intensive care with Covid than at any other point since the crisis began, and ICU beds in Prague are at 94 per cent capacity with cases still rising. The Czech Republic is currently the worst-hit country in the world in terms of cases per 100,000 people, and one of the worst-hit for deaths.