The Cabinet of Ministers agrees not to significantly reduce the Covid-19 related restrictions after Easter

On Friday, 26 March, the Cabinet of Ministers conceptually agreed to maintain most of the safety measures and restrictions introduced to curb Covid-19 after Easter, but at the same time end the emergency situation. Taking education as one of the government’s priorities and the psycho-emotional health of children into account, a conceptual agreement has been reached to resume part of the educational process in person in municipalities with lower morbidity. Also, with strict security algorithms, points of sales could partially resume on-site operations. More detailed decisions will be made next week.

Until then, the experts of the Interinstitutional Coordination Group must prepare the necessary amendments to the legislation so that the public, entrepreneurs, and service providers have clarity regarding further safety measures and restrictions. The Cabinet of Ministers plans to adopt a decision on ending the emergency situation as close as possible to 6 April in order to carefully assess the most up-to-date information on the epidemiological situation.

In the field of education, it is envisaged that in municipalities where the two-week cumulative morbidity rate per 100,000 inhabitants does not exceed 200, it will be possible for the students from 1st to 6th grade and 12th grade to resume on-site studies. In turn, students from 7th to 11th grade will be able to study on site two days a week according to a schedule so that classes do not meet with each other. In vocational education, it is envisaged that groups of up to 5 people will be able to have practical training on site.

It is planned to resume interest education classes and professional orientation classes for groups of up to ten people, but only outdoors.

It is also planned to allow a little more opportunities for people to meet after Easter. Although face-to-face contact is the main route of Covid-19 transmission, no more than ten people will be able to meet outdoors, and from no more than two households.

From 7 April, points of sales having a separate entrance will be allowed to resume on-site operations, except for the ones located in shopping centres, because, according to experts, gathering in them creates too high a risk of Covid-19 spreading.

At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers took note of what decisions would be needed when the incidence of Covid-19 increases rapidly. It provides for strict restrictions on movement, allowing people to go to work and for an hour long walk no more than three kilometres from their place of residence. Only people who ensure the continuity of urgent and important work or work in production and construction would be allowed to work on site. Strict restrictions would also apply to points of sale and service providers.