Czech Republic to keep lockdown in place through Easter

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government said late Thursday it was extending the country’s tight lockdown till after Easter, as infection and death rates remain at high levels. “We’re not in a situation to afford any major changes,” Health Minister Jan Blatny announced. “I’m terribly sorry about that.” Among the restrictions that became effective on March 1 in one of the hardest-hit countries in the European Union, people have been banned from traveling to other counties unless they go to work or have to take care of relatives. It’s part of a series of measures as the Central European nation has been seeking to slow down the spread of a highly con…