The city of Prague signalled it will allow gyms to reopen after the government of the Czech Republic decided to speed up its lockdown exit due to a decline in the country’s infection rate.

The Czech government has revealed an updated exit plan with four stages that allows gyms and retail businesses occupying more than 2,500sq m to reopen.

Although the permission has been given, there doesn’t seem to be a rush to reopen, with a large number of gyms in Prague with the closed sign over the door.

The Czech Republic’s four-stage COVID-19 exit plan kicked off on 20 April, when farmers’ markets and tradespeople with shops reopened.

Citizens are required to wear facemasks until the end of June but are now also able to meet in groups of 10 people – and increase from the previous limit of two.

In a statement deputy prime minister, Karel Havlíček, said: “We evaluated at Easter and the results are very promising. There will be 14-day intervals in the reopening strategy and at the moment the schedule roughly copies what is being done in Germany and Austria.”

At the beginning of April, the Czech Republic was the first country in Europe outside the UK to ease lockdown exercise rules and allow people to cycle, jog or walk in the countryside if they adhere to a two-metre social distancing rule and wore a face mask.

Sports facilities such as golf courses and tennis courts are also open again as long as games only involve two participants.

Other businesses in the Czech Republic are set to reopen in the coming weeks with spas, salons and outdoor restaurants allowed to reopen from 11 May onwards while indoor restaurants are scheduled to reopen and begin indoor service as of 25 May.