Countries in CEE acted early by closing their borders and introducing lockdown measures in response to the pandemic. Now, Austria and the Czech Republic are among the first in Europe to begin lifting their coronavirus restrictions.
Austria's Chancellor announced a step-by-step plan to loosen coronavirus restrictions and reopen the economy. The process is starting today by reopening small shops (up to 400 square metres) as well as all home-improvement, hardware and garden stores. People entering the stores need to wear face masks.
According to the step-by-step plan, larger shops and shopping malls, as well as hairdressers, can reopen on 1 May, while hotels and restaurants on 15 May.
The government of The Czech Republic has also started to loosen some coronavirus restrictions. Outdoor facilities for individual sports and shops selling construction, hobby and hardware products can reopen today. Also, essential travel, such as business trips, is allowed as of today.
As we have written earlier, the government of Slovakia has already allowed to open selected shops from 30 March. The shops needed to adopt strict hygienic measures in order to be allowed to reopen. The number of people entering the shop is limited and the disinfection of hands is required.
