Czechs in chaos with political infighting amid virus surge

PRAGUE (AP) — With a new, highly contagious coronavirus variant gaining force in the already hard-hit Czech Republic, the country is in chaos after Parliament deprived the government of a powerful tool to tackle the pandemic.

The lower house of Czech Parliament late Thursday refused the minority government’s request to extend the state of emergency, a measure that gives the Cabinet the powers to impose and keep in place strict nationwide restrictive measures and limit people’s rights.

Ministers have warned the move will further worsen the situation and might cause the struggling health system to collapse.

The opposition parties charged the current lockdown doesn’t work and accused the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis of not doing enough for businesses and others affected by its restrictions.

They also complained the government has been refusing to take seriously their proposals to deal with the pandemic, and insisted schools should reopen.

The current state of emergency will expire at week’s end after 132 days. The government can use other legal options to reimpose some measures but not all of them.

“We will immediately apply all those remaining options we have,” Health Minister Jan Blatny said. “(But) they're not as effective” as the powers under the state of emergency.

As a result, bars, restaurants and cafes can possibly reopen Monday while the night-time curfew and a ban on gatherings of more than two people will be canceled.

It might also limit use of military medical personnel in civilian hospitals and firefighters helping distribute protective gear and other equipment across the country.

The government is scheduled to discuss the crisis later Friday and meet the heads of 14 regional governments who could declare a state of danger in...