Peterka & Partners would like to inform you of the obligations of employers in the Czech Republic in relation to compulsory testing of employees for COVID-19.
All employers must ensure that all of their employees are regularly tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, through a rapid antigen test designed for self-testing (by a lay person) or through a rapid antigen test performed by a health care provider.
Testing must take place at least once a week. In regards to the first test, all employees must be tested no later than on Monday, November 29, 2021. If the employee is not present at the employer's workplace on the day of the testing, his/her test will be performed on the day of his/her arrival at the workplace.
For inspection purposes, employers must keep records of the tests performed.
Compulsory testing does not apply to:
a) employees who by the nature of their work do not meet other persons, with the exception of persons living in the same household;
b) persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and at least 14 days have passed after the completed vaccination schedule;
c) persons who have had COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed), and the ordered isolation period has passed and no more than 180 days have elapsed since the first positive test;
d) persons who have undergone an RT-PCR examination for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a negative result or a rapid antigen test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, performed by a healthcare provider with a negative result in the last 7 days.
If an employee refuses to undergo the test and he/she is not covered by any of the above-mentioned exceptions, the employer is ordered to report this fact to the locally-competent public health authority without undue delay.
Employees who refuse to undergo the test are instructed to wear appropriate respiratory protective equipment (respirator or similar) throughout their presence at the workplace, to keep a distance of at least 1.5m from other persons and to eat separately from other persons. The employer must ensure that this employee's meetings with other persons are limited.
A remote work can be agreed with the employee.
To the same extent, the compulsory testing also applies to self-employed persons.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your contact person at PETERKA & PARTNERS.
Best regards,
The PETERKA & PARTNERS Czech Team