The world's thirstiest beer drinkers finally clinked their pilsner mugs in the drizzle on Monday, as beer gardens opened despite unseasonably cold grey weather in the Czech Republic, a landmark event after five months of COVID-19 lockdown.
"Finally I am sitting here as a human," said Martin Krisko, savouring his cold beer with a meal served hot, on a plate, rather than lukewarm in a plastic takeaway container, at the Beer Time pub in Prague's former industrial quarter Smichov.
The country was hit hard by the second wave of COVID-19, with one of the highest per capita death rates in the world. A vaccination programme has gathered pace, with the government opening inoculations on Monday to those over 40. As of the beginning of the week, 4.1 million doses had been distributed in the country of 10.7 million people.
"When everyone is inoculated and the weather turns nice, things will roll," said Jiri Zaman, tapping pints at one of the restaurants in the cobblestoned Old Town Square.