Prague, Nov 25 (CTK) – The organisers of the Christmas markets in the centre of Prague will take security measures over the threat of terrorism, Libor Votruba, from the Taiko company, organising the markets on Old Town and Wenceslas squares, told reporters yesterday.
The number of security guards watching the markets will rise and the Christmas tree will not be publicly lit, he added.
The Christmas markets will open on Saturday, December 5, and end on January 6, 2016.
The organisers recommend that the disabled and families with small children consider their visit to Old Town square during the X-mas market carefully.
Prams should not enter the market from 15:00 to 19:00.
Cars will not be allowed to drive to the square and adjacent Parizska Street during the market.
The preparations of the traditional Christmas celebrations in the Czech capital were affected by the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, which claimed 130 lives.
The Prague City Hall decided on Monday not to announce the time of the official lighting of the Christmas tree on Old Town Square in view of security risks.
“Along with the security agency, we will increase the number of people to protect visitors as much as possible,” Votruba said.
Security measures for the New Year´s celebrations are yet to be discussed.
The Christmas tree in the centre, which comes from Ceska Lipa, north Bohemia, will be lit with 20,000 light-emitting diodes (LED) and decorated with golden stars and 600 glass X-mas balls.
A number of other social and cultural events are scheduled in Prague during the Advent period.
hol/dr/ms
