Czech Republic to end mandatory COVID testing this month

The Czech Republic’s government has agreed to end mandatory coronavirus testing at schools and companies this month, the prime minister said Wednesday. The testing “undoubtedly” helped slow down the spread of infections and prevented the health system from being overwhelmed, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. “Given the development, we’ve decided to end the compulsory testing on Feb. 18,” Fiala said. All company employees have been tested twice a week while schoolchildren and all school employees have been tested once a week since Jan. 17.