Following their meeting on Thursday, Ministers Jan Blatný and Karel Havlíček stated that Midnight Mass will be allowed on Christmas Eve. However, several limitations will be imposed.
Despite the ban on mass events and large gatherings of people, the minister of Health, Jan Blatný, stated that the government will not prohibit the Christmas Mass.
“Midnight Masses will be allowed for all believers. But I ask everyone who goes to Mass to observe anti-epidemic measures, “said Blatný, Novinky.cz reports.
However, churches will not be filled to their entire capacity – only a fifth of the seats can be occupied. All attendants must wear masks or respirators to protect themselves and each other.
Furthermore, the government will allow sales on Christmas Eve.
“I confirm that [sales will be allowed] on the morning of December 24, there will be a clear resolution that will say that,” the Minister of Industry and Trade said.
The night curfew, however, and all of the other rules will still apply on the New Year’s Day. The government stated that the citizens will have to celebrate paying due respect to the rules.
According to Novinky.cz, the government also decided to extend the state of emergency until 22nd January, but this resolution will await approval next week.
On Wednesday, there were 8,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Czech Republic. As of the same day, 29, 034 tests were carried out; 4, 609 people remain in hospitals; 595 are in critical condition and 33, 460 were discharged from hospitals.
