Czech Republic: Compulsory Quarantine shortened to 5 days

New measure shortens the duration of quarantine to 5 days from a positive test result as of 11 January 2022. Quarantine is ordered exclusively by the local public health protection authority.

In case of a positive antigen test result of an employee, the employee should inform the employer about the planned absence from the workplace, leave the workplace, and cooperate with the local public health protection authority, which typically imposes a mandatory quarantine for a minimum of 5 days from the date of the test.

A confirmatory PCR test is not required. However, if the person undergoes a PCR test with a negative result, the quarantine terminates. Otherwise, the person is obliged to stay in quarantine for 5 days. After 5 days, the quarantine terminates under the condition that the person has not had any Covid-19 symptoms for the last 2 days and has undergone an antigen test with a negative result (employees should take the antigen test at the workplace).

A quarantine is considered a serious personal obstacle to work on the part of the employee with compensation of wages in the amount of 60% of the worker’s reduced average earnings.

Key Action Points for Human Resources and In-house Counsel

• Quarantine shortened to 5 days, as of 11 January 2022.
• After 5 days, the quarantine terminates if the person has not had any Covid-19 symptoms for the last 2 days and has undergone an antigen test with a negative result.
• The quarantine can terminate earlier than 5 days in case of a confirmatory PCR test with a negative result.