The Czech government banned exports of beverages with more than 20 percent alcohol content after spirits laced with methyl-alcohol killed people across the country, Pravo reported, citing Health Minister Leos Heger.

At least 23 people died in the past three weeks after consuming tainted drinks in the worst case of mass alcohol poisoning in 30 years, the newspaper said. The government last week also imposed a nationwide ban on hard-liquor sales.

To contact the reporter on this story: Peter Laca in Prague at placa@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Balazs Penz at bpenz@bloomberg.net