Detailed Information on Publication Record

As a part of the project EUREGIO-INFO (CZ.11.4.120/0.0/0.0/20_032/0002847 – Interreg V-A Czech Republic-Poland), in the period from March, 1st to April, 15th 2022, a quantitive study was being carried out in order to investigate the impact of govern- ment measures taken in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of inhabitants of the Czech and Polish border area. The study was performed by the project team of the following partner organizations: Regional Association of Territorial Cooperation of Cieszyn Silesia [Regionální sdružení územní spolupráce Těšínského Slezska], Sile- sian University in Opava, Olza Association for Development and Regional Coopera- tion [Stowarzyszenie Rozwoju i Współpracy Regionalnej ‘Olza’] and the WSB Acad- emy. The research on the Czech side of the Czech-Polish border area was carried out through a questionnaire survey by the Median company on a representative sample of 1 000 inhabitants. CATI, CAWI and CAPI standardized methods were used to col- lect data. Respondents cited shopping, visiting family and friends, sports and tourism as the most common reasons. These conclusions have been confirmed also in anoth- er part of the study, where the respondents answered questions on the areas in which they had been constrained by government measures related to the COVID-19 pan - demic. The major restriction was the limitation in doing shopping on the Polish side of the border. The measures affected also the use of food and catering services in Po- land, as well as tourism and sport infrastructure. Residents were particularly negative about the temporary closure of the border and the obligation to quarantine after cross - ing. Respondents noted that due to the measures they now realize the impact they had on their regular life and now feel the greater division between the nations. On 23rd of March, 2023, from 9–11 a.m., qualitative research in the form of focus groups took place within the framework of the project at the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneur- ship in Karvina, which was attended by representatives of the tourism business sec- tor, i.e. accommodation and catering establishments, travel agencies, tourism educa- tion and tourism interest associations. The meeting took a hybrid form. The research resulted in confirming the previous facts: the measures taken by the government af- fected not only the inhabitants of the region and their free movement but also some travel enterprises, especially due to decrease in the number of their customers. Due to restrictions resulting from the pandemic, the entrepreneurs had to rethink and mod- ify ways of communication and cooperation. While some of these changes have been difficult, many have helped them to streamline their work and learn new ways of solv- ing problems. A cross-border contact and cooperation are key factors for economic and social development of both countries, thus it is very important to maintain and devel- op these relations also in the future.