The Czech Republic is imposing a new three-week state of emergency from midnight (22:00 GMT) to combat coronavirus, shutting schools, bars and clubs and restricting restaurants to deliveries and takeaways.
Kindergartens will stay open and special provision will be made for the children of critical care workers.
University hostels are also being closed temporarily.
The country has Europe's highest rate of infection, adjusted for population.
The shutdown will last until 3 November, under the new rules agreed by the Czech government on Monday.
Public consumption of alcohol will be banned until then.
In its report for 13 October the EU's European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows that confirmed new Covid cases in the Czech Republic in the past 14 days totalled 55,538 - higher than the 42,032 in neighbouring Germany, whose population is eight times bigger.
Latest Stories
-
#JustTurned18: First-time voters critical to deciding 2024 presidential election
33 mins -
Video: EC lied that the cost per voter in 2020 was $7.7; it was $12.5 – Bright Simons
38 mins -
Former IGP passes on
47 mins -
Ejisu by-election: Kwadaso MP gave money to EC officials out of goodwill – Ahiagbah
1 hour -
Millennium City: Land owner breaks silence on fatal shooting of soldier
1 hour -
Photos of 2024 Aboakyer Festival
2 hours -
#JustTurned18: I now have an opportunity to use my thumb to bring someone into power – Excited prospective voters
2 hours -
OSP acted as a whistleblower transferring Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO – Sammy Darko
2 hours -
IMF calls for tariff adjustment for energy sector cost recovery
3 hours -
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
4 hours -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
4 hours -
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
5 hours -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
5 hours -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
6 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
8 hours