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In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Czech government has declared a 30-day State of Emergency effective immediately. Among other things, it introduces a complete ban on travel, coming into effect on March 16. Below is a list of what measures are already in place or will come into effect within the next few days.

This Friday marks 140 years since the birth of the pioneering Czech architect and designer Josef Gočár. His legacy includes iconic works in a range of styles, most famously The House of the Black Madonna, in a Cubist tradition inspired by Picasso, and the “national” Rondocubist Legiobanka, born of independent Czechoslovakia.

All primary and secondary schools around the Czech Republic closed for an indefinite period on Wednesday in an attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, leaving thousands of children at home. How will the measure affect their parents? And how will schools deal with the task of providing long-distance learning?

Carpenters are completing a replica of a rare 16th century wooden church from the village of Guty in Silesia, which was ravaged by fire more than two years ago. The church was intentionally set ablaze by three youths, who are now serving time in prison. The replica of the church will be disassembled and erected in Guty as soon as it receives safety approval from fire officers.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says the country is the “most active” when it comes to combating the coronavirus COVID-19 in Europe. The State Security Council has certainly issued many executive orders in recent weeks to help fight the sickness. Here is a rundown of what is in place in some key areas as of Wednesday, March 11.

With a strong economy and cities that few can rival in their beauty, the Czech Republic has become an increasingly popular country for foreigners from across the world. This has naturally led to a demand in Czech language courses. One of those who are leading the pack in online Czech teaching is YouTuber Vít Benešovský.

The Czech government has ordered the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the country and is placing a ban on events hosting more than 100 people. The move was announced in connection with the first case of coronavirus in the country where the source of infection is not known.

In view of the continued global coronavirus epidemic, the Czech Republic’s National Security Council met on Monday and issued a series of new measures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. These include warnings not to travel abroad to areas deemed as “high-risk”, random border checks and the prohibition of visiting some patients in hospital.

This year’s Czech Lion film awards were dominated by The Painted Bird by Václav Marhoul, which triumphed with no fewer than nine prizes. Two of the other main contenders, Owners and Old-Timers, shared the best acting gongs. I spoke to several of the winners at Saturday’s ceremony.

Veteran diplomat Jiří Šedivý, a former ambassador to NATO and minister of defence, was elected chief executive of the European Defence Agency on Thursday by EU Ministers of Defence. As such, he will be tasked with developing the bloc’s strategic autonomy in defence.