Government proposes meal voucher reform, decides on support for organisers of cultural events and at-risk children

In the near future employers should have the opportunity to contribute to employees' meals without using paper vouchers through a "flat-rate" meal programme. This is one of the changes that the government approved at its meeting on Monday 22 June 2020 as part of the proposed new tax package. It also approved financial aid for organisers of cultural events and organisations that take care of at-risk children and appointed a new chief public health officer

Government extends state of emergency for a further 30 days, with more stringent measures to take effect on 27 December

The state of emergency in the Czech Republic, declared due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, will now be in effect until 22 January 2021. Its fourth extension, for 30 days, was ruled on by the government of Andrej Babiš at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday,23 December 2020, based on prior consent given by the Chamber of Deputies. The government has also decided to tighten the crisis measures taken in view of the transition to level 5 of the PES anti-epidemic system, which will take place on Sunday 27 December.

Government approves further aid for closed premises, wants to extend easier administration of social benefits during pandemic

Businessmen who have had to close their premises since October as a result of the government decree will receive additional financial assistance from the state to the value of CZK 400 per employee. This was approved by the government of Andrej Babiš at its first meeting of the New Year on Monday, 4 January 2021.