Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Sunday the government would likely declare a quarantine for the entire country to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

The cabinet was expected to meet on Sunday afternoon with a news conference expected at around 6 p.m. (1700 GMT).

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"I am convinced that today the government, and I will be proposing it, will take this measure," he said in an interview on Prima television.

Babis, who said there could be around 300 confirmed cases by Sunday night from 189 the previous evening, underlined it was important for people to only travel between work and home. Public transport would not be halted, he said.

The country of 10.7 million has not reported any deaths from the virus so far.

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The government has been criticised by doctors and hospitals who have reported shortages of protective masks and respirators. The health minister said on Saturday the country lacked about a million respirators and the government was trying to secure supplies.

On social networks and in the media, people with symptoms have complained of being turned down when requesting tests. The government has said it was accelerating testing, reporting 971 tests on Saturday to bring the total to 4,065.

The expected quarantine comes a day after the government closed most shops and restaurants for at least 10 days.

Other restrictions announced in recent days included a ban on nearly all international travel from March 16, closing schools and banning public events such as sports games and concerts.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Sunday the government would likely declare a quarantine for the entire country to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The cabinet was expected to meet on Sunday afternoon with a news conference expected at around 6 p.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Sunday the government would likely declare a quarantine for the entire country to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The cabinet was expected to meet on Sunday afternoon with a news conference expected at around 6 p.m. (1700 GMT). Also read: Coronavirus crisis delays start of Netanyahu corruption trial "I am convinced that today the government, and I will be proposing it, will take this measure," he said in an interview on Prima television. Babis, who said there could be around 300 confirmed cases by Sunday night from 189 the previous evening, underlined it was important for people to only travel between work and home. Public transport would not be halted, he said. The country of 10.7 million has not reported any deaths from the virus so far. Also read: France closes shops, restaurants, tells people to stay home The government has been criticised by doctors and hospitals who have reported shortages of protective masks and respirators. The health minister said on Saturday the country lacked about a million respirators and the government was trying to secure supplies. On social networks and in the media, people with symptoms have complained of being turned down when requesting tests. The government has said it was accelerating testing, reporting 971 tests on Saturday to bring the total to 4,065. The expected quarantine comes a day after the government closed most shops and restaurants for at least 10 days. Other restrictions announced in recent days included a ban on nearly all international travel from March 16, closing schools and banning public events such as sports games and concerts.

Czech Prime Minister eyes nationwide quarantine, expects rise in coronavirus cases

The Czech government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis agreed to resign on Wednesday after the minority cabinet lost a confidence vote a day earlier.

The government will remain in office in a caretaker capacity after the compulsory step, pending negotiations on forming an alternative administration that could take weeks or months as parties shun Babis while he battles allegations he abused an EU subsidy programme a decade ago as a businessman.&nbsp;

&quot;The government approved its resignation and I will ask for an appointment with the president so that I can deliver the resignation personally,&quot; Babis said.

President Milos Zeman has said he will give Babis another go at forming a government.&nbsp;

The president`s spokesman said Zeman would accept the resignation by the end of the working week.

Police allege Babis, the country`s second-richest person, hid ownership of one of his companies a decade ago to win a 2 million euro subsidy, mostly from European Union funds, meant for small businesses. He denies wrongdoing.

He was charged in the case but regained immunity from prosecution when he won a lower house seat in an October general election in which his ANO party was the winner by a wide margin but failed to reach a majority

.Parliament will decide whether to lift Babis` immunity on Friday.

The other eight parties in parliament have so far rejected any form of cooperation with ANO, though its decisive victory means it is almost certain to be in any viable government, with or without Babis at the helm.

Several parties have signalled they might discuss governing with ANO, especially if Babis was not prime minister, a condition he has so far refused to meet.

Government talks could also drag on because of the possible departure of Zeman as president, whose reelection bid is facing a formidable challenger in academic Jiri Drahos.&nbsp;

Czechs votes in the second, decisive round of the presidential election on Jan. 26-27.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis agreed to resign after the minority cabinet lost a confidence vote a day earlier

The Czech government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis agreed to resign on Wednesday after the minority cabinet lost a confidence vote a day earlier. The government will remain in office in a caretaker capacity after the compulsory step, pending negotiations on forming an alternative administration that could take weeks or months as parties shun Babis while he battles allegations he abused an EU subsidy programme a decade ago as a businessman. "The government approved its resignation and I will ask for an appointment with the president so that I can deliver the resignation personally," Babis said. President Milos Zeman has said he will give Babis another go at forming a government. The president`s spokesman said Zeman would accept the resignation by the end of the working week. Police allege Babis, the country`s second-richest person, hid ownership of one of his companies a decade ago to win a 2 million euro subsidy, mostly from European Union funds, meant for small businesses. He denies wrongdoing. He was charged in the case but regained immunity from prosecution when he won a lower house seat in an October general election in which his ANO party was the winner by a wide margin but failed to reach a majority .Parliament will decide whether to lift Babis` immunity on Friday. The other eight parties in parliament have so far rejected any form of cooperation with ANO, though its decisive victory means it is almost certain to be in any viable government, with or without Babis at the helm. Several parties have signalled they might discuss governing with ANO, especially if Babis was not prime minister, a condition he has so far refused to meet. Government talks could also drag on because of the possible departure of Zeman as president, whose reelection bid is facing a formidable challenger in academic Jiri Drahos. Czechs votes in the second, decisive round of the presidential election on Jan. 26-27.

Czech government agrees to resign after losing confidence vote

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Czech Prime Minister eyes nationwide quarantine, expects rise in coronavirus cases

Czech government agrees to resign after losing confidence vote