Prague will place 19 European states, most central, eastern, and southeastern nations, in the least-risky category under its new color-coded system while putting travel to and from Britain and Sweden in its riskiest category.

Czechs have undone most restrictions, with restaurants and hotels fully reopened on May 25. But tourism suffered as lockdown measures hit the economy, and only short-term business travelers from the European Union, people in transit, or students were allowed into the country.

Czechs will be able to travel without restrictions to immediate neighbors Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia, along with Hungary, Romania, or Bulgaria as part of its green tier. Other safe countries include Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Switzerland, the Baltic states, and Finland, Norway, and Iceland.

The government placed France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, as well as Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium in its orange tier, allowing Czechs to travel to those countries without restrictions. However, those countries’ citizens will need to present a COVID-19 test.

Britain and Sweden were placed in the riskiest red category, meaning Czechs returning from trips there and citizens of those countries need to have a test.

The country reported less than 100 new coronavirus cases a day for most of May. It has reported 9,286 cases of the virus, with 6,642 recovering so far. The death toll has reached 321, a fraction of the rate in western Europe.

Source: Reuters