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20th March 2020 / Competitiveness / Employment and Social Affairs

The State of Emergency and Foreigners in the Czech Republic

Are you a foreigner and your Czech visa is about to expire?
Access to the immigration authorities – such as the Ministry of Interior or the Foreign Police – is currently very limited as a consequence of the state of emergency announced due to the Covid-19 situation. The Ministry invites you to use non-personal forms of contact with the local branch offices where attendance in-person is not required by law. Foreigners who are legally present in the Czech Republic since the announcement of the state of emergency may remain in Czech territory for the duration of the state of emergency without needing to manage their immigration matters.

19th March 2020 / Competitiveness / Health Care

Respiratory Protection FAQ: General Public

During public health events – such as wildfires, times of high air pollution, airborne-transmissible disease outbreaks, etc. – members of the public may choose to wear a respirator to help reduce their exposure to airborne particulate hazards. When respiratory protection is recommended for workers and the public, the recommendations often focus on government approved respirators such as "N95, FFP2 or equivalent.” When used correctly, respirators can help reduce wearers’ exposures to airborne particulate hazards such as dusts, pollen, PM2.5, mists and fumes – including particles so small that they can’t be seen. Respirators contain filter material and are designed to form a seal with the wearer’s face, so that air passes through the filter (instead of around the edges) before it is inhaled. A common choice is a disposable filtering facepiece respirator (FFR), sometimes referred to as a particulate respirator, such as those shown below.

19th March 2020 / Competitiveness / Tax & Finance

Liberation package to alleviate the economic consequences of a coronavirus pandemic in the Czech Republic

The Czech Government will provide tax breaks in relation to the spread of the coronavirus diseas, which should help entrepreneurs to cope with the loss of income.

19th March 2020 / Competitiveness / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth

ING’s latest CEE economic views and forecasts

As Covid-19 spreads across Europe causing more and more countries to take extraordinary measures, Central and Eastern Europe is no exception. Following some big market and central bank moves, our CEE specialists have updated our forecasts for growth and policy rates a

19th March 2020 / Economic policy / Employment and Social Affairs

AmCham Comments on Government Programs to prevent unemployment from temporary, severe loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus

Our view is that the strict containment measures adopted by the Czech Republic are necessary not only to contain the spread of disease in order to prevent a breakdown in the healthcare system and consequent greater loss of life, but also to avoid the longterm economic damage a significant outbreak could cause. Therefore, we propose the government pursue immediate economic measures that will mitigate the damage of virus and its containment and then prepare regulatory changes that can make recovery swifter and more sustainable.

1) Pass some form of the Ministry of Social Affairs proposal by March 20.

2) Consider introducing renewable time limits and a salary cap for government contributions.

3) Consider moving from a kurzarbeit-style program to direct company payments if the containment period lasts more than a month.