Restrictions of travelling to the Czech Republic from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho ant Eswatini

In response to the newly discovered B.1.1.529 Covid-19 coronavirus variant that has been detected in the South African region, the Government of the Czech Republic has adopted the following protective measure valid as of 27 November 2021 00:00 hours until 12 December 2021 23:59 hours:

I. strongly advises citizens of the Czech Republic and foreigners residing in the Czech Republic not to travel to the territory of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana,, Mozambique;

II. prohibits the entry of all third-country nationals who have stayed for more than 12 hours in the last 14 days on the territory of the Republic of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique; this does not apply if they are holders of a residence permit for more than 90 days on the territory of the Czech Republic issued by the Czech Republic;

III. orders:

1. all persons who have stayed more than 12 hours in the last 14 days in the territory of the Republic of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique,

(a) before entering the Czech Republic, submit a completed Arrival Form,

(b) before entering the Czech Republic, to possess:

(i) an RT-PCR test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR virus, which is a written certificate issued by a person authorised to carry out this test in the country in which it was carried out, stating a negative result of the RT-PCR test, which is not older than 72 hours from the date of the RT-PCR test; the obligation to have a SARS-CoV-2 test does not apply to the holder of a diplomatic note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic stating that it is not possible to provide a SARS-CoV-2 test outside the Czech Republic; and

(ii) confirmation of a reservation for an RT-PCR test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus to be carried out within 24 hours of entry into the Czech Republic,

(c) on request at border or residence control, produce proof of completion of the Arrival Form, the SARS-CoV-2 test referred to in point (b)(i) or a diplomatic note,

(d) within 24 hours of entering the Czech Republic, submit to an RT-PCR test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus,

(e) no earlier than on the 10th day, but no later than on the 14th day, after entering the Czech Republic, undergo an RT-PCR test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2,

(f) wear a respirator or similar device (without an exhalation valve) that meets at least all technical conditions and requirements (for the product), including a filtration efficiency of at least 94 % according to the relevant standards (e.g. FFP2, CN 95), at all times when leaving the place of residence for 14 days after entering the Czech Republic.

2. point III.I. does not apply to international transport workers if the reason for entry is documented by an appropriate document and to persons under 6 years of age if they are not attending pre-school,

3. not to accept applications for visas and temporary and permanent residence permits at the embassies of the Czech Republic competent for the countries listed in point I.

4. suspend all proceedings on visa and residence applications submitted to the Czech Republic's embassies competent for the countries listed in point I.

5. not to mark visas at the embassies of the Czech Republic competent for the countries listed in point I.; this also applies to applications received before the date of entry into force of this measure and to the marking of visas for the purpose of taking over a residence permit, which may be marked only in the event of loss or destruction of a previously issued residence permit;

6. points III.3 to III.5 do not apply to applications submitted in the foreign policy interest of the Czech Republic, which is decided only by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Just to stress, the exception is given only to Czech citizens and foreigners - holders of a valid residence permit over 90 days in the territory of the Czech Republic issued by the Czech Republic. The conditions for their entry are listed in the attached leaflet:

Rules for arrivals from countries with a risk of a new variant of COVID-19 (PDF, 160 KB)