Czech news in brief for July 20: Monday's top afternoon headlines

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Summary for: Czech news in brief for July 20: Monday's top afternoon headlines

Czech government plans nationwide ban on mobile phones in primary schools from 2027.
Pensions to increase for over-80s and working retirees under approved reforms.
President Pavel highlights cultural festivals as vital for social cohesion and dialogue.
Prague metro line C briefly halted after train hit stroller on tracks.
Petřín funicular ticket price to rise to CZK 100 after September reopening.

Czechia moves to ban mobile phones in schools
Pavel praises importance of cultural festivals
Government approves higher pensions for 80+
Traffic briefly interrupted on metro line C
Ticket price for Petřín funicular to increase

Good afternoon, the government today held its penultimate cabinet meeting before the summer break, with two bigg-ish announcements set to impact the very young and the very old. Meanwhile, President Pavel was in Ostrava to talk about the importance of culture in our fragmented societies, and some Prague public transport news. Here's this afternoon's wrap-up.

This afternoon's top story

Czechia moves to ban mobile phones in schools

The government backed a proposal to ban the use of mobile phone in Czech schools, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced after today's cabinet meeting. The new measure, which has been at the center of heated debates in recent months, will apply in kindergartens and elementary schools, most likely from September 2027.

What will change? Until now, individual schools could decide whether or not to ban mobile phones, either during classes or breaks. The new ban applies to schools across the board, and forbids pupils from using their phone including in between classes, except in extraordinary cases (like for health reasons). It doesn't apply, however, to secondary schools, universities or vocational schools.

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More top headlines

Pavel praises importance of cultural festivals

In an exclusive interview for Czech Radio recorded at the Colours of Ostrava festival, President Petr Pavel praised the importance of culture and festivals - like the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Colours of Ostrava or Pohoda in neighboring Slovakia - as key to fostering political dialogue and social cohesion.

Musical bliss. "They allow people with different opinions to come together in one place and enjoy something together. Especially today, in a partially divided society, I think that is extraordinarily important," Pavel said, in particular highlighting the communal spirit he experienced at a recent Iron Maiden concert.

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Government approves higher pensions for 80+

The government today approved changes to the pension system, increasing the pensions for working pensioners and for people over the age of 80. "The changes have a clear goal: to reward those who want to remain active after retirement, better support seniors at a very advanced age, and at the same time simplify how the entire system functions," Labor and Social Affairs Minister Aleš Juchelka said.

How much are we talking about? People over the age of 80 years old will see their pension increase by CZK 500 every five years starting in 2027, and working pensioners should see their pension rise from 2028.

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News you can use

Traffic briefly interrupted on metro line C

Traffic on the metro line C between Florenc and Pražského povstání was temporarily halted for about 45 minutes today after an incoming train collided with an empty baby stroller that fell on the tracks. A replacement bus service was briefly running along the route in question.

Meanwhile, escalator malfunction briefly restricted access to the Staroměstská metro station on line A this morning.

Z dÅ¯vodu zÃ¡sahu IZS je pÅ™eruÅ¡en provoz metra C v Ãºseku Florenc - PraÅ¾skÃ©ho povstÃ¡nÃ.

V dotÄenÃ©m Ãºseku je zajiÅ¡tÄ›na nÃ¡hradnÃ autobusovÃ¡ doprava X-C. pic.twitter.com/5n02KmnlXs

— PID - mobilita budoucnosti (@PIDoficialni) July 20, 2026

Ticket price for Petřín funicular to increase

A single ride on the new Petřín cable cars will cost CZK 100 after the route's reopening in September, up from CZK 60 today, Prague councilors said today after approving the new tariff. Those purchasing the ticket digitally via the Lítačka application will pay just CZK 90. The change will only affect individual tickets, and won't apply to holders of long-term Prague public transport passes, which will remain valid for the funicular.

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POLL RESULTS: We asked readers if they watched the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina yesterday. About 56 percent of respondents said they did, mostly at home, compared to 44 percent who said they weren't all that interested in football.

Did you miss the morning edition of this news update? Read it here

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