COVID-19 Information
Last updated: March 12, 2021
*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
Country-Specific Information
- Czech Republic has 1,376,998 confirmed cases (cumulative), 1,191,782 recoveries, 22,865 deaths, 5,744,249 PCR tests performed, and 999,395,206 vaccines administered.
- Due to the crisis measures issued by the Government of the Czech Republic, it is not possible for U.S. citizens to travel to the Czech Republic for the purpose of tourism or visiting friends.
- From March 1, 2021 and continuing for three weeks, Czech authorities will restrict the free movement of people throughout the country. These new lockdown measures mean it will be forbidden to leave your district of permanent residence or domicile, without a fundamental reason, (i.e., for work or a doctor visit in a neighboring city). Confirmation from your employer will be needed for commuting to work in another district. People can do essential shopping within their districts only. The city of Prague counts as a “district.” Even within your district, daytime movements will be restricted to only necessary trips, such as commuting to work or shopping for essential items. All schools and daycares will close from March 1. Most retail shops and services will close. Only food stores, drugstores, pharmacies, opticians, and florists are allowed to remain open. The curfew between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. remains in effect. The newly declared State of Emergency will terminate at midnight, March 28, 2021.
- Updated facemask requirements: FFP2 or N95 facemasks are required to be worn on all forms of public transportation, in shops, hospitals, public buildings, shared office spaces, and other outdoor public areas where a safe social distance cannot be maintained. Textile or other homemade masks will no longer be permitted.
- As more countries list the Czech Republic as a high risk country and place restrictions on travel, please visit the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance of traveling abroad.
- For specific information about the re-openings and all public health requirements in English, please visit the Czech Ministry of Health
- If you are planning to cross the border to Germany from the Czech Republic: only German nationals, their immediate family members and holders of a German resident permit are allowed to enter Germany.
- If you are planning to transit Germany by air: transit via Germany to any Schengen destination is permitted only for German nationals, their immediate family members and holders of a German resident permit. Transit to any Non-Schengen destination is permitted for all nationalities but passengers must hold a negative COVID-19 test result at time of departure, not older than 48 hours from the planned arrival in Germany, must register online under following link: https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de/#/and) must observe local quarantine regulations. Detailed information can be found under following link: https://lufthansa.travel-regulations.com/?language=en
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in the Czech Republic? Yes
- If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
- For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
- The Czech Ministry of Health offers a map of testing sites including contact information here: https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/seznam-odberovych-center/or the Czech Republic COVID page here: https://covid.gov.cz/.
- Prices for self-pay range from 1,500 CZK – 9,000 CZK depending on the specific center and desired turn-around time. If possible, consider calling ahead to inquire as to an appropriate time for the test as some of these locations can get quite busy. Test results are available via email and SMS text message.
- For more information, go to: https://covid.gov.cz/en/situations/infection-and-general-measures/how-get-tested
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Has the government of Czech Republic approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
- The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
- Information from the Czech Republic regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
- Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? NO
- As of January 30, 2021 travelling to the Czech Republic for other than essential reasons is banned. For the most up-to-date information in English regarding possible exceptions to entries of foreign nationals into the Czech Republic, go to the Czech Ministry of Interior site here or dial +420 704 844 583 for information in English. On the Ministry of Interior website, please refer to the PDF table entitled “Conditions for entry of persons to the territory of the Czech Republic . . .”
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? YES
- Beginning March 1, 2021, there is a new obligation for travellers transiting the Czech Republic to have a negative antigen/RT-PCR test result, including those who transit by land after arrival to a Czech airport. The antigen test must be carried out no more than 24 hours and RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. For more information, please visit https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/file/conditions-for-entry-of-persons-to-the-territory-of-the-czech-republic-in-accordance-with-the-ministry-of-health-protective-measure.aspx
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? YES
- All travelers arriving to the Czech Republic from a risk country (those not on the list of safe countries approved by the Ministry of Health) are required to complete an online Public Health Passenger Locator Form before entering the country. More details can be found at the Czech Ministry of Interior
- For information on the legal status of foreigners in the Czech Republic, please visit the MFA web site here. For general information regarding visas and residency permits in the Czech Republic, visit https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx
Movement Restrictions
- Is a curfew in place? YES
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? YES
- The nighttime curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. has been reinstated. It is forbidden to leave your district of permanent residence or domicile, without a fundamental reason, (i.e., for work or a doctor visit in a neighboring city).
- Restrictions on movement are in effect for the next 3 weeks (unless extended) and the new State of Emergency is in effect until March 28, 2021.
Quarantine Information
- Is a curfew in place? Yes
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
- The nighttime curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. has been reinstated. All movement is banned with the exception of travel to and from work and shopping for essential items.
- Restrictions on movement are in effect for the next 3 weeks (unless extended) and the new State of Emergency is in effect until March 28, 2021.
Transportation Options
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
- Quarantine is mandatory if unable to undergo a COVID-19 test within five days of entry (see below).
- Foreigners entering the Czech Republic from a “red” zone country (including the United States) are required to contact a regional hygiene station according to their place of stay after entry, to undergo a PCR COVID-19 test within five (5) days of entry to Czech territory, otherwise a necessary quarantine measure will be enforced.
Fines for Non-Compliance (if applicable)
- Are there fines for non-compliance? Yes
- Fines up to 10,000 Kc ($456) may be enforced.
Consular Operations
- S. Embassy Prague is limiting the number of people who come into the embassy, while prioritizing U.S. citizen emergency cases (lost/stolen passports, reports of birth abroad, etc.). We have suspended routine notarial services. We will resume full American Citizen Services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. For questions on all consular services, including visa services, please visit our FAQs page for more information.
Local Resources
- Czech COVID epidemic
- Czech Ministry of Interior
- Czech Ministry of Health
- Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Czech MFA Emergency FAQ
- Prague Vaclav Havel Airport
- Radio Prague International
Other links
