The Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis said Friday the new series of measures is necessary "to protect the lives of our citizens."

"We have to do it prevent a total collapse of our hospitals," Babis said. "If we don't do it, the whole world will watch Bergamo in the Czech Republic."

He acknowledged his government made mistakes in dealing with the pandemic in the past but called on the Czechs to abide by the rules that are becoming effective on Monday for three weeks with a goal "to stop the virus and return to normalcy."

Among the strictest restrictions, the government is set to limit free movement of people by not allowing them to travel to other counties unless the go to work or have to take care about their relatives.

"If it's possible, stay at home," Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said. Hamacek said the measure will be enforced by police and military forces.

If people go out for sports or just a walk, they should not leave their municipality.

Further measures include the closure of nursery schools and schools for children with disabilities that until now have remained open.

Also, only the stores with essential goods will remain open.

"It's not the best timing, it is in fact late," Jan Konvalinka, a biochemist and vice-rector of Prague's Charles University, told Czech public radio. "But better late than never, we have to stop it somehow."