Coronavirus and Czech Republic: The overtouristed European country banning tourists for a year

Prague Czech President Milos Zeman has told citizens to enjoy the beauty of their own country this summer, as travel across foreign borders will be banned for a full year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The head of state said in a radio interview on Sunday the current border restrictions should last a year "so that no new wave of infection is caused by travellers going to countries where the epidemic is not yet over."

In mid-March, the Czech Republic imposed a widespread ban on entering and leaving the country to contain the coronavirus.

Exceptions to the exit ban currently apply to commuters, truck drivers and for unavoidable cases, including medical treatment.

Travel agencies and other tourism companies had previously demanded that during the summer at least trips to Slovakia and Croatia, which are particularly popular holiday destinations for Czechs and where coronavirus infections are rare, be permitted.

DPA

See also: The plague village that destroyed itself to save a nation in lockdown once again

See also: Trans-Tasman 'bubble' could make travelling to this country a breeze