The Czech Republic reported its lowest daily tally of new Covid-19 cases since September, the same day a six-month state of emergency expired and many pupils return to the classroom.

The central European country was badly hit by the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Czech government managed to slow the spread of infections by imposing its toughest lockdown yet, according to Reuters.

Students in grades 1-5 were set to return to school and restrictions on movement eased with people allowed once more to travel outside their home districts.

The government has kept non-essential shops, restaurants and sport and entertainment centres shut almost continuously since October, except for a brief re-opening in December that was quickly reversed amid another surge in Covid-19 cases.