Head of Prague Hygiene: We will not close schools, but we may limit nightclubs
The mayor’s deputy, Petr Hlubuček (United Forces for Prague / STAN), who is in charge of security, said at a press conference that representatives of the capital were monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus infection. “We are able to solve problems operatively, I hope that this will be the case even in difficult autumn times. We know that the number of infected people is growing, Prague is orange at the covid traffic light. But we manage to trace contacts despite minor delays, “said Hlubuček.
From Tuesday, the wearing of veils in all means of public transport will apply from the state regulation. In Prague, the obligation has so far only been valid in the metro. Hygienists in the metropolis are tightening government regulations – since September 1, on the basis of regulations from the Hygienic Station of the Capital City of Prague. m Prague must have a veil not only in public transport cars, but also in the lobbies of the metro station, the interiors of train stations and also in all interiors of the buildings of the Václav Havel Airport complex.
⚠ @hygpraha issues the Regulation, with effect from 1 September 2020, orders the public in the territory of Prague to use respiratory protective equipment: in all areas of the metro, interiors of railway station buildings, interiors of the VH Airport in Prague…https://t.co/ILxwwRUFgy
– Hygienic station of the capital m Prague (@hygpraha) August 31, 2020
People will also have to protect and wear their mouths in public buildings and indoor events with the participation of up to 100 people in all public spaces. The entrance to the municipal building on Mariánské náměstí will be tightened.
The Prague councilor admitted that in the autumn, due to the epidemiological situation, some cultural or sports events postponed from the spring months may be canceled or, for example, there may be vintage events in city districts. According to Hlubučka, the capacity of the sampling area in the metropolis is 5,000 tests per day – another laboratory will open within 14 days on Vítězné náměstí in cooperation with the City Hall of Prague 6.
The director of the Hygiene Station of the Capital City of Prague, Zdeňka Jágrová, emphasized that Prague is currently at the lower limit of the “orange” level. “This means that the trend is upward both in terms of the number of new confirmed cases, which have recently been mostly over a hundred a day, ie in terms of patients among the elderly and the number of hospitalized. In their case, it is an increase of only units and the situation is not dramatic yet, “said Jágrová.
First-graders will get veils in one
Hlubuček reiterated that this is one of the reasons why the municipality leaves it to the principals of individual school facilities to proceed with the fight against coronavirus. The obligation to wear veils (so far) does not apply. The city will only advise schools to consider whether in which area of the school or during which activities children should use drapes. According to Hlubuček, each school has a different regime, so the city made a recommendation. “We have the beginning of a school year that we have never experienced, so it is possible that schools will change the regulations after a few days,” he said. Hlubuček showed reporters a special package for first-class students who will receive from the capital on September 1. In addition to traditional school supplies, drapes will be added for about 14,000 first-graders this year.
Jágrová added that the veils have a great effect on the transmission of the virus: “The measure is not pleasant, but it is essential.” According to Jágrová, “it does not cost much”, but significantly reduce the spread of covid-19. “But there is no guarantee in schools that they will be used correctly, they do not even make sense in teaching,” added Jágrová. It is not forbidden to hold outdoor schools, but principals should consider organizing them, according to the hygienist.
During the day, the City Hall of Prague 12 published the information that in the teaching staff of the elementary school prof. The occurrence of coronavirus infection in Švejcar in Mráčková Street was confirmed. So far, it has been decided on the director’s leave for September 1. The next steps of the management of the city district and the local primary school should be published later after negotiations with the regional hygienic station.
Think about where you will spend your free time
According to Jágrová, it would be a miracle if the number of infected children did not increase: “The situation will no longer be rosy. But we do not expect to close schools. that children should be homogeneous so that we know who is in contact with whom and only certain classes or specific groups would go to quarantine. “
The head of Prague hygiene mentioned that a large proportion of those tested positive for covid-19 are infected in bars, casinos and nightclubs – the notorious case is Techtle Mecthle, where 258 people with coronavirus have been identified so far. “If it were to remain so unbearable, we would have to take restrictive measures and reduce the situation of the operation of these companies,” Jágrová said, adding that this measure would not apply to restaurants. “I appeal to the people of Prague to think about where they will spend their free time.”
Councilor Hlubuček then asked the company, which operates in Prague, to take the current situation seriously and prevent the spread of the covid-19 infection among their own. According to him, Prague currently has enough protective and hygienic means for employees and its company. It has also created sufficient stocks.