Czech government shortens isolation and quarantine

The Czech government announced on Wednesday it would be cutting isolation restrictions those tested positive for the coronavirus from 14 days to five, while also shortening quarantine time for close contacts of people who test positive.

The measure will become effective on January 11, Health Minister said. The decision follows similar measures adopted by some other states, including several EU members and the United States, that have already been facing an omicron variant-driven record surge in infections.

At the same time, the government gave a final green light to a plan to test all employees for the coronavirus as part of efforts to manage the spread of the variant. It will be mandatory for all workers, including those who have received a booster shot of a vaccine, to get tested by rapid antigen self-tests twice a week, starting on January 17.