The re-introduction of a state of emergency in the Czech Republic due to the spread of coronavirus cannot be ruled out, as the statements of leading Czech politicians in Saturday s newspapers revealed.

„The development of the situation is not good. No one expected what is happening now,” Prime Minister Andrej Babis said in the leftist daily Pravo. According to the newspaper, Babis, who just a few days ago called on the media to stop its scaremongering campaign, has now acknowledged that the epidemic is back and should be taken seriously.

„I m asking everyone to behave responsibly. Coronavirus is back, the numbers are rising everywhere, and especially in our country. The situation is particularly serious in Prague,” the Czech premier said.

He believes that the introduction of a state of emergency cannot be ruled out, either. „This question should be asked from the health minister. If he recommends it to the government, we will address it,” Babis said.

Health Minister Adam Vojtech said he would consider re-introducing the state of emergency if the epidemic necessitated economic measures or restrictions on mass events.

Interior Minister Jan Hamacek, head of the national crisis staff told Pravo that the numbers showing the spread of the epidemic were getting worse and „it s time to suspend mass events.”

According to Roman Prymula, Czech Government Commissioner for Science and Research, re-introducing the state of emergency after the resumption of the national crisis team would be „a logical step and is very likely to take place.” He pointed out that the advantage of the state of emergency is that it allows the minister of health to introduce measures at the national level.

According to the recognised epidemiologist, the number of infected people can be expected to increase to 3-4 thousand a day in the next two to three weeks. It takes about three weeks for the effects of the more stringent precautions introduced this week to show.

On Friday, laboratories detected 2,111 new coronavirus infections, the third highest daily number ever. The death toll rose to 498.

In the spring, the state of emergency lasted from 12 March to 17 May in the Czech Republic.