Random medical checks have now been introduced at ten border crossings in the Czech Republic after 32 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were discovered in the country.
Only on Sunday, tests confirmed infection in six people, which indicates a sharp rise in a short period of time. All new patients remain at home within quarantine.
A total of 27 Czech cases of coronavirus are related to Italy; 24 people have been there recently and infected three more people. Another five cases have ties to Boston in the United States. None of those affected are in serious condition.
The Czech government has taken several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. From Monday morning, police, firefighters, and customs officers began to perform random medical checks on those arriving at ten border crossing points.
Officials measure the body temperature of the people returning to the Czech Republic and warn them about the risks associated with coronavirus.
Right on Monday morning, a truck driver was taken to the infectious ward of the nearest South Bohemian hospital after firefighters found that the man was feverish. The driver came back to Czechia after unloading goods 20 kilometers from Milan and admitted he was not feeling well.
Coronavirus fears spread in Europe, massive quarantine of northern Italy implemented
In general, people returning from Italy, including foreign residents, are supposed to stay in a home quarantine for two weeks. However, the obligation does not apply to truck drivers, paramedics, and pilots.
The Czech government also decided to ban visits to hospitals and senior homes. The restriction, however, will not apply to visits to children’s wards, to people with limited legal capacity or hospices since, in these cases, a ban could affect the patients negatively.
The Czech Republic interrupted flights to northern Italy, South Korea, and China. At the same time, the country stopped issuing visas at the embassy in Tehran, Iran.
The Czech Ministry of Health also banned selling respirators and exporting hand disinfectants; some sporting and cultural events were canceled.
More than 110,000 people worldwide have been infected with the new coronavirus, with over 3,800 deaths. Apart from China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran are the hardest-hit countries, with thousands affected and hundreds dead.
In Europe, the situation in Italy is the worst, with over 7,300 infected and 366 dead.
On Sunday, the Italian government declared quarantine for the north of the country, locking down 16 million people until April 3. This also means that Italy is restricting travel to the regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, and Veneto.
At the same time, sports and cultural events are being canceled. Ski resorts and swimming pools are also to be closed. Medical workers’ holidays were also canceled.
