COVID-19 Information
Last updated: November 26, 2021
The government announced a 30-day state of emergency effective November 26 and imposed new public health measures, including the closure of Christmas markets, reduced hours for restaurants and bars, and capacity limits on public events. Please review https://covid.gov.cz/en for the most updated information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a new Order for all air passengers traveling to the United States. Effective November 8, 2021, all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.
Exceptions to this policy will be extremely limited:
- children under 18
- people medically unable to receive the vaccine
- emergency travelers who do not have timely access to a vaccine
Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis.
U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test one (1) day before their flight’s departure. U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test three (3) days before their flight.
For additional information, please visit our FAQs for answers to questions about the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.
Country-Specific Information
- On November 15, 2021, the CDC issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the Czech Republic due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. We recommend you do not travel to the Czech Republic at this time. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
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- As of August 23, 2021, the United States is on the list of Very High Risk countries for COVID transmission according to Czech government guidelines. Please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for details and travel requirements.
- If vaccinated, only a Personal Locator Form (PLF) and proof of vaccination are required.
- If unvaccinated, travelers are subject to pre-arrival and post-arrival COVID testing, as well as self-isolation until receipt of a negative test.
- As there are no current direct flights from the U.S. to the Czech Republic, travelers from the U.S. must be cognizant of transit travel measures and testing requirements. Please check transit measures for the counties you will transit prior to your travel.
- Travelers will also still need to show one of the following when entering a museum, attending a public event, or checking into a hotel.
- A negative PCR test less than three days old
- A negative antigen test less than 24 hours old
- Single-dose vaccines: Proof of 14 days past dose, within the last nine months
- Double-dose vaccines: Proof of 22 days after first dose, within the last 90 days
- Double-dose vaccines: Proof of 22 days after second dose, within the last nine months
- Medical proof of recovering from COVID-19 in the last 180 days
- While in practice, very few establishments ask patrons for proof of COVID test or vaccination, we recommend compliance with the rules otherwise you can be subject to non-compliance fines up to10,000 Kc ($470). CDC vaccination cards suffice as proof of vaccination.
- Facemask Requirements: KN95 or FFP2 masks (also called “respirators”) are required to enter shops, airports, all public transportation (including platforms and stops), post offices, taxis or rideshares, and any time social distancing is not possible
- Stores have re-opened. Staff and clients are required to wear respirators and follow distancing rules. Zoos, castles, museums, botanical gardens, farmers markets, libraries and some cultural sites have opened with limited capacity.
- Restaurants have reopened with updated hygiene conditions and indoor and outdoor cultural events are now allowed to have 1000 and 2000 people, respectively.
- As more countries update 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 or the COVID portal
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 Covid-19 information in English here: https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/en/ or at the Czech Republic COVID page here: https://covid.gov.cz/en/.
- 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
- Are vaccines available in Czech Republic for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes – for residents of the Czech Republic age 16+ with local insurance and those working in certain sectors https://registrace.mzcr.cz/ . Please continue to monitor the Czech Covid Portal for updates.
- Foreigners pay CZK 850 ($40) for vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and may now register for a vaccination. For more details, see the Covid Portal.
- Which vaccines are available in the Czech Republic? Pfizer & Moderna
- I was vaccinated in the United States. How can I get it recognized in the Czech Republic? Visit the Covid Portal for more information on vaccination certificates.
- 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.
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter for tourism? YES
- For the most up-to-date travel guidelines 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.
- 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) and meet the travel requirements 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? NO
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? NO
- More information: https://covid.gov.cz/en/
Quarantine Information
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? NO
- More information: https://covid.gov.cz/en/
Fines for Non-Compliance (if applicable)
- Are there fines for non-compliance? Yes
Fines up to 10,000 Kc ($470) may be enforced.
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
