Czech lawmakers on Tuesday gave the green light to extend the state of emergency until April 30, in order to maintain the steps taken against the spread of coronavirus. The government had asked for an extension until May 11 but failed as 90 of 101 lawmakers present wanted a shorter term. The state of emergency allows the government to take restrictive steps to combat the coronavirus or buy medical material without declaring a tender. "I don't want to restrict freedoms a second longer than absolutely necessary," Prime Minister Andrej Babis told lawmakers. "Unfortunately, the situation is serious and I can't promise that this will be the last time I stand here with this request." The vote means that all pubs and many shops will remain closed and free movement will be restricted until April 30 in the EU member of 10.7 million people, which has registered 4,944 cases of the virus including 88 deaths. The cabinet can declare a state of emergency only once for 30 days, which it did on March 12. For an extension, it needs the go-ahead from the parliament. frj/amj/pvh