The Government has recently discussed and approved the Amendment Regulation on Employment of Active Soldiers and Customs Officials of the Czech Republic to fulfil the tasks of the Police of the Czech Republic in connection with the Coronavirus epidemic. The change will allow to increase the maximum number of called up soldiers by additional two thousand.

The aim of increasing the number of soldiers that would fulfil the tasks of the Police of the Czech Republic is to help to meet the increased safety measures against the Coronavirus. Therefore, the forces and funds will not be depleted and the standard police tasks in the area of internal security within the standard performance to ensure public order and tasks in criminal proceedings will not be negatively affected. The maximum number of called up soldiers will increase by another two thousand.

Picture: The change will allow to increase the maximum number of called up soldiers by additional two thousand. | army.cz

The Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar said to the measure: “Today the Government has decided to increase the number of soldiers allocated for the Police of the Czech Republic by two thousand, i.e. to 4,096 persons. This Regulation is valid for the duration of the state of emergency. The Army helps where it is needed. And we will continue to do so.” 

Neither the defence capability of the Czech Republic nor meeting international obligations will be decreased by calling up soldiers in Active Service to fulfil the tasks of the Police of the Czech Republic. By increasing the number of soldiers, the Police will be able to maintain the current scope of daily service provided to the citizens of the Czech Republic.

The Army of the Czech Republic has been supporting the units of the Integrated Rescue System at border crossings since Tuesday, 10th March 2020. A total of 30 members of the military medical staff from the Medical Service of the Ministry of Defence cooperated with members of the Integrated Rescue System in shifts, specifically with firefighters, police officers, customs and hygienists. 

Picture: At border crossings, the soldiers measure temperature, help to determine medical history, disinfect firefighters in protective suits. The Army has also provided tents and containers (Mikulov border crossing in the picture) | army.cz

The Army has participated in the construction of temporary sampling points at ten border crossings. The samples have been collected in the military container cells to test the presence of the Coronavirus. The military health professionals cooperated and followed the instructions of public health authorities (hygienists and epidemiologists).

It is not the first time that the Army of the Czech Republic supports the Integrated Rescue System. For instance, it already strengthened the Police of the Czech Republic during its presidency of the EU Council in 2009 or during the explosion of a munition warehouse in Vrbětice in 2014 in the past.

Picture: The Army already strengthened the Police of the Czech Republic in the past, for example, when the munition warehouse exploded in Vrbětice in 2014 | army.cz