THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO RELEASE RESTRICTIONS OF THE RETAIL SALE AND SERVICES

THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO RELEASE RESTRICTIONS OF THE RETAIL SALE AND SERVICES

The government decided to ease the strict restrictions on retail sales and services with effect from April 27, 2020, 0:00. The release of previous restrictions was adopted pursuant to the Crisis Act (hereinafter referred to as the “crisis measure”).

According to the crisis measure, from Monday, April 27, 2020, it will be possible to reopen all businesses with an area accessible to the public not exceeding 2,500 m2, provided that it is not located in shopping centers with a sales area exceeding 5,000 m2. However, this does not apply to service providers that come into contact with the customer’s body surface (e.g. barbershop, hairdresser), which will be opened later in the next stage of easing government restrictions.

Gyms and fitness centers are permitted to open, but under relatively strict hygienic conditions (such as limiting the presence of clients, so it is ensured that there are distances of at least 2 meters between them, or for example disinfecting machines and other exercise tools after being used by each client and many more). All this, of course, provided that the clients wear facemasks at all times.

Accommodation services can be provided only in hostels, spa facilities and school accommodation facilities. However, the general prohibition on the sale of accommodation services does not apply to the sale and provision of accommodation services to persons for professional purposes, business or other similar activities, foreigners until leaving the Czech Republic and foreigners with a work permit in the Czech Republic, as well as persons ordered to quarantine or persons at risk of domestic violence.

The crisis measure orders to retail sales and services to comply with a very strict hygienic conditions, such as actively ensuring that their customers will be keeping a distance of at least 2 meters between them, managing queues of waiting customers, placing disinfectants on frequently touched items, etc.

Last but not least, the operation of driving schools, zoological and botanical gardens and the operation of libraries was also permitted. All this, however, under the pre-determined conditions set out in this crisis measure.

For more information on this subject, please feel free to contact:

JUDr. Monika Rutland, partner

rutland & partners, law firm

tel: +420 226 226 026

email: monika.rutland@rutlands.cz