Currently applicable hygienic measures

Upozornenie

Content of this page is currently outdated. We are working to update it with the new/updated measures valid from october 15th.

Epidemiological situation in regions

Based on epidemiological situation in a given region the appropriate regional public health authority with local jurisdiction may impose additional measures.

General hygienic measures for all outlets, stores, and services

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

All retail businesses and service providers are ordered to ensure:

  • the number of customers in an establishment in any one moment does not exceed one customer per 10 sq. m of the establishment‘s floor area or
  • keeping a distance between individual customers of at least 2 m (alternatively, the above condition does not apply to food establishments providing the operator ensures that dining tables are spaced at least 2 m apart).

These recommendations do not apply to children present at such premises, nor do they apply to theatres, musical, movies, and other artistic performances with seated audience.



However, operators are required to make sure the following: 

  • entry and stay in premises (within interior spaces) to be allowed only with covered upper airways (face mask, shawl, scarf); this obligation does not apply to time necessary for consumption of beverages and food in public food facilities,
  • upon entry to premises apply disinfectionto hands of provide disposable gloves,
  • keeping a distance of at least 2 m between customers standing in a queue (this does not apply to persons living in a common household),
  • all entrances to premises to have visibly displayed notification on the obligation to comply with the above hygienic measures,
  • perform frequent ventilation of premises and perform regular disinfection of touch surfaces, such as door handles, shopping trolleys and baskets, any equipment in use, tools and instruments, use virucidal disinfectant for disinfection,
  • food stores, public food facilities, including fast food stands and any other street vending of foodstuffs, meals and beverages mustplace emphasis on securing regular cleaning and disinfection that must be done within the daily sanitation operation and within the adopted and introduced principles of correct hygienic practice according to Regulation No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs.

Securing air quality in buildings

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

  • frequent and intense ventilation is recommended, preferably by natural ventilation through open windows (also in buildings with forced ventilation),  
  • with ventilation by air conditioning, it is recommended to increase air exchange in all areas and to ensure its permanent operation,  
  • air conditioning to be set to nominal air flow at about 2 hrs prior to business hours and set to lower air flow about 2 hrs after the end of business hours,  
  • when building is not in use,do not disengage ventilation, but keep it operational at reduced air flow,    
  • if the air conditioning was offline for longer period of time, it is recommended to secure the ventilation of premises by use of air conditioning minimum of 24 hrs prior to opening the premises,  
  • avoid opening windows at restrooms, if they are vented by forced ventilation,  
  • do not use rotary heat exchangers or make sure that they do not show any leaks that would allow any waste air to penetrate into the feed-air,  
  • switch recirculation units to 100 % feed of external air, if technically possible,  
  • do not use air scrubbers that are not equipped with HEPA filter,
  • use all options available for underpressure ventilation (ventilators) in large rooms, in both toilets and kitchen areas,
  • regular replacement and maintenance of filters to be done with the use of ordinary protective measures including airway protection.

Shopping centres

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

In addition to respecting the general hygiene rules for store and service facilities shopping centres are concurrently obliged:

  • to equip hygienic facilities of the premises by liquid soap and paper towels,
  • to conduct disinfectionof hygienic facilities every hour,
  • in areas designated for consumption of food or beverages keep hygienic rules for public food facilities.

Public catering (in hotels, restaurants, pensions and other facilities and their outdoor terraces)

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

In addition to respecting the general hygiene rules for store and service facilities public catering facilities are concurrently obliged:

  • opening times will be reduced to 10:00 p.m., with the exception of delivery services and sales using dispensing windows
  • consuming meals and beverages in catering establishments will only be permitted with guests seated, to control spacing between persons,
  • tables and touchable surfaces (including grips of chairs and armchairs) are necessary to be disinfected after each customer,
  • service personnelmust use face masks and between servicing each table to perform hand disinfection,
  • hygienic facilities must be equipped with liquid soap and paper towels,
  • hygienic facilities to be disinfected every hour,  
  • if table dishes are used (plates, cutlery, glasses) it is necessary to secure its washing according to the requirements of Section 9(4)(g) of MH SR Ordinance No. 533/2007 Coll.; when washing kitchen dishes by hand it is recommended to add appropriate disinfection agent prior to rinsing the dishes,  
  • cutlery should not be freely available on tables, only available by service personnel wrapped into a paper napkin.  

Outdoor sporting grounds

  • minimum distance of 2 m among all persons at sporting ground (including active athletes),  
  • disinfectant bottle for hand disinfection,
  • disinfection of all used training equipment after practice completion,  
  • athletes under the age of 18 years are obliged to have and use own water bottle only marked with their own name,  
  • at rotation of groups of athletes at the same sporting ground the coaches are to secure time and space for keeping safe distance of rotating athletes and they are to supervise disinfection of the used equipment is done,  
  • keep record of participation of persons in sporting activities (first and last name, date and time of participation); responsible person is the one leading the sporting activity,  
  • all persons (except active athletes) are obliged to carry face masks,  
  • 5 active athletes on 1 sporting ground, or multiple groups of athletes on 1 sporting ground (1 group = min. area 30x30m),
  • active athletes may practice with no face masks.

Outdoor markets

  • unidirectional movement of customers with 2m distance,
  • safeguarded and regulated single entry and single exit,  
  • stalls distant 2m apart,  
  • restaurants within markets may sell food and beverages through a window only,  
  • consuming is allowed only outside the market premises.

Mass sports events

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

Upozornenie

A ban is imposed on organising mass sporting, cultural, entertainment, social events, or events of other nature with more than 50 attendees at one time. If the number of persons at the above events performing on the organiser’s behalf exceeds 50 persons (performers, athletes, sports event organisers, etc.), a mass event will be held without live audience.

In parallel, it is prohibited to:

  • organise mass, cultural, entertainment, social gatherings or gatherings of other nature (discotheques, dance events, etc.) in catering establishments (restaurants, bars, nightclubs, bars, etc.) and in accommodation facilities. The restriction does not apply to the regular provision of catering services in food establishments,
  • organise large social gatherings (wedding  receptions, celebrations, dance balls, funeral feasts, green ribbon parties of students, etc.).
Exception from the prohibition to organise mass events

Mass events with attendees having a negative RT-PCR test or antigen test certified in the European Union for Covid19 not older than 12 hours at the time of the start of the mass event are exempt from the above restrictions. The above mass events must be reported to the territorially competent regional public health authority not later than 48 hours before their start, whereby it is required to indicate exact time and venue of the event. Providing the above conditions are observed, food or beverages may be served at the event.

When organising massand supporting events it is necessary to observe the following obligations:

  • entry to and exit from mass event places to be allowed with covered upper airways only (such as face mask, shawl, scarf),
  • perform frequent disinfection of premises, mainly that if touchable surfaces (door handles, floors and items),
  • hygienic facilities must be equipped with liquid soap and paper towels,
  • placing at entrances of buildings alcohol-based hand disinfection dispensers or any other adequate means of hand disinfection and observe frequent hand disinfection,
  • provide at the building entrance notification of the obligation, that in case of occurrence of an acute respiratory disease (such as fever, cough, cold, difficult breathing) such person is obliged to stay in domestic isolation,
  • publish at a visible place a notification with information that if a person begins to show symptoms of an acute respiratory disease, it is necessary to contact by telephone their attending physician and leave the mass event venue and that shaking hands is prohibited,
  • provide for sufficient ventilation of premises,
  • the same conditions are also to be applied accordingly to mass events organised indoors,
  • in the event of mass events organised outdoors the organiser is required to outline the area designated for such mass event and mark its entrance and exit,
  • organiser must be able at any moment to show the number of persons participating in such mass event at one particular time,
  • no refreshments can be served at the event (foods and drinks).
Upozornenie

Organisers of theatrical, musical, and similar artistic performances are required to prevent entry to the artistic venue to performing artists and performers if measuring their body temperature shows a value above 37,2 °C.

In addition, the event organisers must ensure compliance with two-metre distance between person upon entering and leaving the venue, except the following:

  • relatives, partners and persons from the same household,
  • athletes and artists performing their profession,
  • audience in the auditorium,
  • lecturers,
  • in case of seating it is recommended to ensure seating arrangements, except persons sharing the same household, so that every other seat remains unoccupied, with recommended alternate seating sequence in rows of seats.

At the same time the following obligations apply to the performance of sporting camps and concentration training:

  • upon the beginning of the event every participant must show to the organiser negative result of RT-PCR test for the COVID-19 disease not older than 72 hours,
  • negative result of RT-PCR test for the COVID-19 disease not older than 72 hours must also be shown by persons acting on behalf of the organiser,
  • organiser is required to deny participation at event to any person showing symptoms of the COVID-19 disease,
  • mass event must be held under the condition of joint isolation of participants from the persons not participating at the mass event.

A rule applies for sporting events thatif they are to be held in a green zone district , the audience will be seated in every other row. However, if such game will be held in one of the districts within red zones, the audience will be seated in every fourth row.

Upozornenie

These hygienic measures do not apply to weddings, holy masses, and other religious services.

Weddings, holy masses and other religious services

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

A condition for conducting weddings, holy masses, and other religious services is to provide the following:

  • entry and stay in a church (or appropriate areas thereof) only with covered upper airways (face mask, shawl, scarf),
  • hand disinfection or disposable gloves at entrances,
  • seating (except persons sharing the same household) in such manner that one seat must remain unoccupied between occupied seats, while the seating sequence in rows of seats must be alternated,
  • comply with respiratory etiquette (coughing, sneezing into a napkin or elbow bend) andno handshaking,
  • total exclusion (from services)of persons with under quarantine or showing any symptoms of a respiratory infectious disease,
  • if possible, hold Sunday services separately for persons older than 65 years of age and for persons from risky groups,
  • disinfecting used religious and other objects,
  • disinfection of hands prior to administering holy communion, consecrated bread; upon handing over the communion it is recommended to place the bread in one’s hand as a priority; in case of contact of the person administering the communion with the mouth of the faithful, the giver must disinfect their hands every time,
  • upon receiving communion „under both kinds“ do not use the ceremony of everyone drinking from the same chalice (such as drinking from the chalice by more than one person, including the clergy, deacons etc.) only one person may drink from the chalice (for instance liturgy leader),
  • removing (only as a recommendation) vessels with water (such as aspersorium) from ceremonial premises,
  • recommendation not to shake hands (sign of peace may be replaced by a bow or smile gesture),
  • frequent disinfection of premises, mainly touchable surfaces, door handles, floors, and objects.

Sessions and meetings of state bodies

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

Sessions and meetings held under law may be conducted, however the following must be observed:

  • provide at the building entrance notification of the obligation, that in case of occurrence of an acute respiratory disease (such as fever, cough, cold, difficult breathing) such person is obliged to stay in domestic isolation,
  • provide at the building entrance dispensers for alcohol-based hand disinfection and to disinfect hands, or to provide any other adequate manner of disinfecting hands,
  • secure wearing face masks by persons moving within the premises of state bodies and territorial self-administration bodies,
  • secure sufficient ventilation of premises,
  • secure regular disinfectionof all contact areas, mainly those of touchable surfaces (such as door handles, handrails, elevators) and all contact objects (such as office table, keyboard, telephones, portable media, mouse) by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect,
  • hygienic equipment of premises must be equipped with liquid soap and paper towels.

Organisers must also publish at a visible place a notification with the following information:

  • if a person begins to show symptoms of an acute respiratory disease, it is necessary to contact by telephone their attending physician and leave the workplace,
  • regularly wash hands with soap and warm water, consequently dry hands with disposable paper towels,
  • prohibition to shake hands.

Catering

Updated 1 October, 2020

Providers of catering services must secure the following until further notification:

  • entry and stay at premises (both outdoor and indoor areas) only with covered upper airways (face mask, shawl, scarf) except the time necessary for consumption of beverages and food,
  • dispenser of hand disinfection upon entry to premises,
  • visible placement of notification on obligation to comply with the above hygienic measures,
  • frequent ventilation of premises interior,
  • regular disinfection of tables and touchable surfaces after each customer (including grips of chairs and armchairs),
  • placing washed kitchen and dining dishes and utensils into device that enables drip-drying without wiping,
  • for cutlery not to be freely available on tables, but instead be handed by service personnel wrapped in a paper napkin,
  • premises be equipped with liquid soap and paper towels,
  • disinfection of hygienic equipment every hour,
  • if table dishes are used (plates, cutlery, glasses) it is necessary to secure its washing according to requirements of Ministry of Health in this ordinance

When washing kitchen dishes by hand, it is recommended prior to rinsing the kitchen dishes to add a disinfectant appropriate for this purpose. 

It is further recommended:

  • keep distance in columns of people waiting for food or beverages of minimum2 m,
  • keep distance of 2 metres between tables designated for customers,
  • secure that all meals and beverages served during catering events be served to the customers by service personnel only. Service personnel will place the meal chosen by the customer on a plate, which is held by the customer so that any physical contact is avoided. Should contact still occur, the service personnel will disinfect their hands. Service personnel will perform hand disinfection every time after making physical contact with the customer.

Read the whole wording of Regulation No. OHVBPKV/4246-2/2020 (PDF, 219 kB) dated 16 June 2020, that pertains to operation and organising catering service and events.

Taxi

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

PIn addition to respecting the general hygienic rules for operations of stores and service outlets taxi operations transporting persons are also obliged:

  • make sure that drivers have suitably covered their upper airways (face mask, shawl, scarf),
  • make sure that disinfection of spaces for customers is performed by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect after each customer.

It is recommended that travellers be seated on rear seats. It is equally recommended that suitable separation of space for the driver from that of the passengers, preventing free passage of aerosol between these spaces.

Driving schools

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

In addition to respecting the general hygienic rules for operations of stores and service outlets operations of driving schools and other registered persons for conducting mandatory basic qualification courses and regular training of persons transporting passengers are also obliged:

  • make sure that drivers have suitably covered their upper airways (face mask, shawl, scarf),
  • make sure that disinfection of vehicle interior and simulator is performed (mainly the steering wheel and gear shift stick) after each participant,
  • in training courses for riding motorcycles to make sure that each trainee attending such course have their own helmet and appropriate protective equipment.

Theatrical, musical, film and other art performances

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

In addition to respecting the general hygienic rules for operations of stores and service outlets organisers of cultural events are also obliged:

  • prevent entry to an art performance location by performing artists or the cast when shooting and audio-visual work or production if measuring their body temperature shows a value above 37,2 °C,
  • restrict ticket sale so as to leave one vacant seat between the occupied seats, whereby the sequence of occupied seats in the adjacent rows will alternate,
  • make sure the premises are equipped with liquid soap and paper towels,
  • perform the disinfection of hygienic premises every hour,
  • perform the disinfection of touchable surfaces prior to each performance (door handles, rails, counters),
  • eating or drinking in the premises of the establishment is prohibited.

Operations of care for human body (including fitness)

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

PreIn addition to respecting the general hygienic rules for operations of stores and service outlets operations of care for human body are also obliged to secure:

  • that employees have covered their upper airways in suitable manner (face mask, shawl, scarf),
  • adjust operation business hours so that there be sufficient time left for cleaning and disinfection of the working space between individual customers (work tables, chairs, wash sinks, foot bath),
  • disinfection be performed after each customer by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect,
  • hygienic equipment be equipped with liquid soap and paper towels.
Upozornenie

During the time necessary for performing an act the customers are not required to protect their airways, if the said act does not enable it (face treatment, cutting hair, washing hair).

Specific rules for wellness and fitness services

In addition to the above requirements the wellness and fitness service operations must secure the following:

  • disinfection and disposable paper towels made available to customers in all areas,
  • regular (even increased in fitness centres) disinfection of touchable surfaces (such as door handles, hand rails, grips, chairs, lounge chairs, water faucets, sporting equipment, lockers, equipment in use, tools and utensils) by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect.

Aquaparks, artificial and natural public baths

Regulation valid from: 1. October, 2020, 00:00 hrs
Regulation valid until: until cancelled

Updated 1. October, 2020

Akvaparks

In addition to respecting the general hygienic rules for operations of stores and service outlets organisers of cultural events aquaparks and public baths are also obliged to secure the following:

  • to keep maximum occupancy of customers within the premises at 1000 customers,
  • operator must be able at any moment to show the number of persons located within the premises at one particular time.

Artificial and natural public baths

PIn addition to respecting the general hygienic rules for operations of stores and service outlets  artificial and natural public bath operations are also obliged to secure the following:

  • water quality analysis for bathing prior to opening (must be satisfactory),
  • application of hand disinfection to visitors upon entry to the public bath,
  • make sure drinking fountains at public baths are dysfunctional.

In addition to the above the operators of this type must secure the following:

  • draining, mechanical cleaning, disinfection by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect and refilling with new water of swimming pools not equipped with recirculation system that is to be done even prior to reopening such artificial public bath for operation,
  • purification of the entire volume of water at recirculation system in swimming pools equipped with such recirculation system,
  • proven technology is to be used in the treatment of swimming pool water. The content of free chlorine and other disinfection side products is to be kept at the upper permitted limit value pursuant to valid legislation applicable for artificial public baths.The frequency of operational inspections of these values will be increase twofold,
  • cleaning and disinfection of swimming pool technology and equipment, including water distribution and recirculation systems by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect. The disinfection applied must include sufficient procedure for liquidation of microbiological contamination including legionella (for instance with thermal disinfection),
  • higher frequency of cleaning, washing and disinfection (by disinfecting agent with virucidal effect) of surfaces, premises, sporting tools and swimming pool equipment; mainly the cleaning of frequently touched surfaces is to be intensified (toilets, doors, tables, seats, backrests, handrails),
  • provide sufficient time interval for disinfection of premises at swimming pool for infants and toddlers; disinfection is to be performed with disinfecting agent with virucidal effect after each group of swimmers,
  • ensure physical distancing of at least 2 metres between individuals, group members or household members and other people in outdoor recreational spaces,
  • equipping the hygienic premises of the operation with liquid soap and paper towels,
  • provide for sufficient ventilation at artificial public baths; natural ventilation is used as a priority.

Please read the full wording of the latest Measure OLP/7694/2020 (PDF, 141 kB) valid from 1.10.2020 which is replacing the Measure OLP/7311/2020 (PDF, 176 kB) dated 17 September 2020.