Unjabbed Czechs’ freedoms curbed as cases surge in EU

THE Czech Republic is joining neighbouring eastern European countries in restricting the movements of unvaccinated people as it battles a new wave of Covid-19 infections.

Andrej Babis, the prime minister, said that from Monday the authorities will ban unjabbed citizens from access to public events and a range of services unless they can prove they have recently recovered from Covid-19.

It comes as Slovakia votes today on banning the unvaccinated from nonessential shops, hotels, large public gatherings, gyms and swimming pools.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia, which have inoculation rates well below the EU average, are edging towards the example of Austria, which announced earlier this week that it was placing two million people under lockdown.

Austrians who have not been fully vaccinated are only allowed to leave home for necessities such as to go to work or buy groceries.

The Czech Republic reported a record 22,479 new cases yesterday – up by 8,000 in a week.

“People have to finally believe that Covid kills,” said Mr Babis.

Slovakia reported 8,342 new cases, surpassing the previous record of 7,244, recorded last week. In Hungary, the infection rate has risen to a level not seen since last spring, when the country had the highest coronavirus death rate per capita in the world.

Yesterday, the authorities reported 178 deaths and more than 10,000 new cases, in a country which has a population of less than 10million. About 40 per cent of Hungarians are unvaccinated.

Further west, Germans are now rushing to get the vaccine as the number of new cases rises. “It is a sign that many citizens have recognised the need,” said a government spokesman.

Yesterday, Germany reported 52,826 new infections – up by a third on last week.

Vienna’s decision to impose new restrictions on the unvaccinated appears to have spurred many people to accept the jab. It has one of the highest infection rates in Europe, with a sevenday incidence of 925 per 100,000 people, compared with 320 in Germany.

In Italy, five regional governors have said they are in favour of adopting Austria’s approach, amid growing alarm over a possible fourth wave of infections.

Sweden will introduce a Covid-19 vaccination pass on Dec 1 for public indoor events of more than 100 people but it will not apply to restaurants and bars.