Czech government seeks to extend emergency powers to December 3

FILE PHOTO: Outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Prague

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech government will ask lawmakers to extend its emergency powers for another month, until Dec. 3, as it tries to stem a surge in COVID-19 infections, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Tuesday.

The government's state of emergency order is due to run out on Nov. 3. The cabinet has tightened measures, including a new 9 p.m. curfew coming into effect on Wednesday, to combat the spread of coronavirus as a pandemic second wave sweeps Europe.

(Reporting by Robert Muller and Jason Hovet; Editing by Catherine Evans)