Czech confidence fell in March at the fastest pace since 2011, reaching the lowest level since 2013. However, data was collected in the first half of the month and understates the real impact of recent shutdowns amid Covid-19

We expect the Czech National Bank to cut its key repo rate by a further 50bp at its monetary policy meeting on Thursday, mainly due to the still-worsening growth outlook for the Czech economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The koruna could therefore depreciate further vs the euro, prompting the CNB to react. We do not expect it to implement quantitative easing measures, however.

Businesses around the world are reacting to a situation that's changing hourly. But they also need to look further ahead. We asked Emilia Skirmuntt, a virologist at the University of Oxford, to set out – with no hyperbole – the possible scenarios businesses must plan for. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of the University of Oxford.

We would like to inform you that due to the state of emergency in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak, the Czech Government has approved a liberation tax package providing for the remission of selected sanctions for late submission of tax reports and payment of tax liability.