Czech Republic Extends Internal Border Controls Until June 13
The Czech government has decided to extend its border controls for another month, while at the same time expanding the list of places through which it will be possible to cross internal borders.
On May 4, the government decided to prolong border checks at the common borders with Germany, Austria and all internal flights until June 13th, 2020, in accordance to the Schengen Borders Code, Article 25.
According to a press release of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, the measure has been taken due to ongoing risks of another wave of infections in the country, from infections coming from outside.
“In order to mitigate the negative effects of the measure on cross-border traffic, the Government decided with the effect from May 11th, 2020 00:00 that the places designated for crossing internal borders listed in Part 2 below (in the past the so-called commuter crossing points), which are in operation from 5:00 to 23:00, shall be made available to all eligible passengers,” the press release reads.
The government has made available three additional crossable border checkpoints at the land borders with Germany from 5:00 to 23:00, which are:
- Dolní Poustevna – Sebnitz/SobÄ›nice
- HÅ™ensko – Schmilka
- Kraslice – Klingenthal
In addition, the Government also decided to designate four railway crossing points on the main railway corridors due to the expected resumption of the interstate passenger train transport between the Czech Republic and Germany and Austria. These are:
- BÅ™eclav – Hohenau
- Horní DvoÅ™ištÄ› – Summerau
- ÄŒeská Kubice – Furth im Wald
- DÄ›Äín – Bad Schandau / LáznÄ› Žandov
Persons crossing internal borders may still be checked along the entire length of the listed sections of the internal borders of the Czech Republic, whereas the obligation to cross internal borders only at designated crossing points does not apply to a few categories of persons for whom the restriction would be disproportionate to the public interest.
These include the integrated rescue system, people in the event of an unforeseen emergency or freight air/railway/ship transport, etc.
Last month, the Czech Republic had prolonged the temporary reintroduction of border control at the land borders with Germany and Austria, as well as the air borders, which were set to expire on April 24, for another 20 days, until May 14th.
In mid-April, Czech Republic’s President Milos Zeman recommended that the borders of the country should remain shut for one year, to prevent another surge of infections in the country, caused by arrivals from outside.
