Last updated on November 17, 2020
We’re in the second wave of coronavirus in Prague and back in lockdown. While Czech Republic did a great job in phase 1, with people wearing masks everywhere, the mood has shifted.
For this second wave, people are behaving very differently. While there was almost 100% compliance with the rules of mask-wearing in phase one, I now see that less than half of people are properly wearing masks outdoors.
Lockdown in Prague
Since Oct. 25, Czech Republic has intensified the lockdown. In the current iteration, people are supposed to wear masks everywhere outside of home. We’re still allowed to go for a walk, but it should be with at most one other person. Only stores with essential items are open, particularly grocery stores, drugstores, and pharmacies, and all stores must close by 20:00. However, all stores, except bakeries, are closed on Sundays, except for small corner stores. I’m not sure of the maximum size of stores that are allowed to remain open but my usual food stores in my neighborhood are all closed. Restaurants and cafes are open for takeaway but there is a curfew from 21:00 – 06:00.
A Saturday
For the first time in months, I went to the city center. I walked from home, down through Letna park and across the Vltava river. It was a bright sunny day with many people out, not the typical throng of people of a beautiful fall day, but still.
As I walked to Old Town Square, I stopped for a moment across from a Franz Kafka status to watch several retakes for a film. I don’t know what film it was, but there were other people observing the attraction. At Old Town Square, all the kiosks are closed and there were no lines waiting to watch the astronomical clock strike the hour. Only Starbucks was open on the square.
I walked on, down Zelezna Street, where all the shops are closed. Only Bageterie Boulevard was open.
I walked past the waiting line of people and carried on to Wenceslas Square and up to Muzeum. I carried on to Vinohrady, to Jiriho z Podebrad. There was no farmer’s market so the square was relatively closed. I turned around and walked back to Mustek.
I entered Marks & Spencer to buy some groceries. Parts of the store are blocked off to prevent customers to purchasing anything but food items.
I had my 10000 steps for the day and took the metro three stops home.
A Sunday
Sunday was grey but once again, I headed out, this time to Brevnov Monastery. A friend and I walked around catching up on work and life. We zig-zagged through the paths on the monastery ground, mostly walking on trails covered by fallen leaves. To end our walk, we went through Ladronka Park and then caught the tram back towards the castle.
I’m happy that it’s possible to meet with friends and go for a walk even in lockdown. While yesterday’s walk was in the city, today’s walk was amongst trees. I loved walking on the beautiful colored leaves of fall. And the sun came out on our walk after a grey morning, making the day even more beautiful.
Your Turn
How are you coping with lockdown wherever you are? Do you get a chance to go outside and enjoy nature? I hope so!
Ah, Damianne, I’m sorry to hear that you all are going through a second wave. In Thailand, we’ve been enjoying life back to “normal” (with masks, of course, temp checks when entering bldgs, etc) since late June. Folks predicted things that a second lockdown was possible for the Northern hemispheres but I sincerely hope it doesn’t last long. I think folks need to go on living life and we can do so with restrictions, etc, but it doesn’t feel like we can keep doing this when the numbers spike. It’s like a loop we can’t get out of. What do you think?
I was having this conversation yesterday. I think having cycles of lockdown and free movement may be the reality of life for now. I think people have no tolerance for an enduring lockdown; yet, the numbers spike when we are out of lockdown.