Czech govt scraps mandatory jabs plan

The Czech government has scrapped a decree making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for key professionals and over 60s to avoid "deepening fissures" in society, while the daily tally of new cases hit a record high.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said his new government did not see reasons for compulsory inoculation as the previous administration had planned in some sectors.

"This does not change our stance on vaccination. It is still undoubtedly the best way to fight COVID-19... however, we do not want to deepen fissures in society," Fiala told a news conference.

In December, the previous government ordered COVID-19 vaccinations from March 2022 for hospital and nursing home staff, police, soldiers and some other professions as well as those aged over 60.

That brought protests.

The policy turn comes as a wave of the Omicron variant hits the central European country of 10.7 million people.

The Health Ministry said 28,469 new COVID-19 cases were reported for Tuesday, a record daily number since the start of the pandemic and more than double the 12,371 reported the same day last week.

Like other central European countries, the government expects about 50,000 daily cases by the end of the month.

In preparation, asymptomatic essential healthcare workers and social service personnel who test positive may be allowed to continue working.

Businesses want the list extended.

Fiala's government has also shortened quarantine and isolation times while launching mandatory testing of employees at companies from this week.

Hospitalisations, which peaked in the latest Delta wave at more than 7000 in early December, dropped to 1635 on Tuesday from 1761 reported for Monday.