This change has been principally brought about in the reaction to the new and more infectious mutation of coronavirus and to the coordination at the EU level in this regard. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control rates in its report the current risk of community transmission within the whole Europe as very high and therefore calls for tightening travel measures, including limitation of non-essential journeys.

There is a new category of so-called dark red (high-risk) countries with the strictest epidemiologic measures applicable to journeys from this category. This means that there is the obligation to submit a first PCR test done 72 hours or less prior to the departure, followed by a second PCR test undergone in the Czech Republic at the earliest the 5^th day from the entry. The self-isolation is obligatory until the second negative test result is submitted.

In case of journeys from orange and red countries, there is the obligation to submit an antigen test done 24 hours or less prior to the departure or PCR test done 72 hours or less prior to the departure. In case of red countries, a person must likewise undergo a second PCR test in the Czech Republic (this can be undergone also earlier than the 5th day from the entry). The self-isolation is obligatory until the second negative test result is submitted.

There is the obligation to fill in the electronic Public Health Passenger Locator Form in case of journeys from all these categories of countries. The form will be checked along with the test at the entry to the Czech Republic. 

There will be exceptions applicable to these rules, especially in regard to the international transport and regular cross-border movement for the purpose of work, study and childcare.

The journeys of Czech citizens from the Czech Republic for other reasons than those absolutely essential continue to be strongly discouraged.

As of January 31^st, 2021 there is in force a crisis measure to restrict free movement prohibiting all journeys of foreign nationals to the Czech Republic for other reasons than those absolutely essential.

The general rules are laid out in the table below. More detailed information will follow.