State will pay up to CZK 4,000 of the bill at spas

Czech spas hit by the closure of the borders are hoping a newly approved program will spark demand from local customers. The government has promised to pay CZK 4,000 of the total bill for anyone who spends at least six nights in one of the spas through its program called Covid – Lazne. A total of CZK 1bn has been earmarked for the program. "The spa sector is one of the most threatened segments of the economy from the Covid-19 crisis," said Minister for Regional Development Klara Dostalova. "The reduced level of demand could lead to a reduction in offers, the closure of spa facilities, mass layoffs and to a general negative impact for the regions of the Czech Republic. That's why the spas were chosen for the first phase of support." Foreign guests made up as much as 44 percent of the customers in Czech spas, according to Dostalova's ministry, which estimates that the fall in the number of customers could reach 200,000 this year.