Czech government to weigh tighter COVID measures on Thursday

The Czech government will debate possible tighter coronavirus measures at a Thursday evening meeting, a government spokesman said after ministers did not reach a decision on new restrictions at an extraordinary sitting on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis said earlier on Wednesday that tighter measures were needed to prevent a "catastrophe" in hospitals in the coming weeks as the country battles one of the world's highest COVID-19 infection and death rates.

With non-essential shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and most schools already closed, ministers are debating further curbs on people's movement to combat the spread of the virus.