New Year’s Eve 2021 Prague: Prohibition of pyrotechnics, transport, measures
“Hundreds of police officers from the law enforcement, criminal, traffic and foreign services, anti-conflict team, special and regional law enforcement units in the streets of Prague will oversee security, observance of public order and, of course, observe the currently valid government regulations. As part of the supervision of public order, police officers will also be assisted by police officers of the Municipal Police of the Capital City of Prague, “said police spokeswoman Violeta Siřišťová about the planned measures.
Extraordinary traffic restrictions will also apply, especially in the city center. Parking will not be allowed on Wenceslas Square from 12:00 on Friday 31 December 2021 until 10:00 the following day, and the measures will also affect the adjacent streets. “The capital in this regard appeals to drivers to at night and in the morning they did not travel to the surroundings of Wenceslas Square and the cleaning of the streets could take place in the shortest possible time, “Said the municipality.
Other measures will concern the surroundings of Charles Bridge. In Josefská and Mostecká streets, entry will be prohibited from 31 December 2021 from 21:00 to 2:00 the following day, restrictions will also affect the other bank of the Vltava – in Křižovnická streets and in the Smetana embankment part, traffic will be restricted at the turn of the year from 23:30 to 1:30. The ban on all vehicles will also apply in the vicinity of the Old Town Square.
City transport
Changes will also occur in urban public transport – the transport company will extend the operation of the metro at the turn of the year until approximately 2:00 am. The daily operation of trams and buses will end at 10 pm, the night connections will run at intervals of 15 to 20 minutes.
Ambulances will be available to the public on Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square as part of New Year’s celebrations Prague ambulances, in addition to normal operation, there will also be a special medical tent on Václavák.
Firefighters do not plan to increase the number of firefighters compared to normal operation. “We serve in full and, if we call the photo, volunteer units. From the experience of the last five years, we do not expect significant problems due to the ban on the use of fireworks in different parts of the metropolis. These are always small fires of bushes, waste or pyrotechnics on the road, “said Martin Kavka, a spokesman for the Prague fire brigade, adding that during last year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, firefighters intervened in 18 fires related to fireworks.
Prohibition of pyrotechnics
Police officers, the municipality and fire brigades have warned that a number of places in the capital are banned from being used for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve. “The ban applies to most places in the center of Prague and, for example, to floodplains, parks or the surroundings of hospitals and sanitary facilities, “The municipality wrote in a press release. You can find more detailed information in an interactive map.
Police also call on citizens to be protected when using pyrotechnics. “Just a few seconds of carelessness can completely change your life and the lives of people around you. When using pyrotechnics regularly to a number of very tragic cases of damage to health and property have extensive consequences for those who are to blame. Death, devastating injuries, severe burns, fire – all important pyrotechnics (pyrotechnic products). Please use pyrotechnics wisely and with greater caution, “said Siřišťová.
Police also added some tips to prevent injuries when using pyrotechnics:
- buy pyrotechnics in permanent shops, not at market stalls, even if the goods at the stalls meet all the conditions for sale, moisture and can damage and degrade;
- not to buy goods that lack instructions in the Czech language, the manufacturer’s or importer’s designation, the designation of the hazard class, the sales authorization number and the expiration date;
- buy products only in the original manufacturer, if the goods are repackaged, it is better not to buy them;
- when using, always follow the instructions for handling pyrotechnics;
- not to aim at yourself or others;
- pyrotechnics should not be manipulated into intoxication, it should be fired by a sober man;
- in no case use various pyrotechnic articles made by amateur;
- do not try to improve the purchased products at home, the risk of injury is too great;
- not entrust pyrotechnics to children;
- parents should forbid children from collecting unexploded firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, they should instruct them not to touch such items.
This is how it exploded at midnight on New Year’s Eve in Prague at the turn of 2019 and 2020. Amos Chapple photo
Wenceslas Square in Prague during last year’s and this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations
Author: Blesk – Karel Kopáč