Slovenia allows free movement between municipalities

Curfew remains in force, all services resume, shops and some schools reopen, up to 10 people may congregate

Slovenia has entered the orange phase according to the government traffic light system, which makes possible a sweeping easing of Covid-19 restrictions from Monday, 15 February, reports public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. On Tuesday, the seven-day average of confirmed cases was 827, and 864 patients with Covid-19 were treated in hospitals, well below the 1000 threshold required for a move to orange phase.

The ban on movement between the municipalities and statistical regions will be lifted and from next week “we can move freely throughout the country," Interior Minister Aleš Hojs announced at a government press conference on Thursday. However, the night-time curfew between 9 pm and 6 am will remain in force with the option to be relaxed if a locality or the entire nation enters the yellow phase (less than 500 hospitalizations and infections below 600 on 7-day average).

No Schengen border checkpoints, quarantine on arrival

Regarding foreign travel, from this Saturday border checkpoints with Austria, Italy and Hungary will be abolished, allowing normal crossing of the internal Schengen borders. Also from tomorrow, Slovenia’s “red list” will be expanded with three EU states where the epidemiological situation is worse - Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic. All those returning from these countries must show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test in order to avoid quarantine upon entry. Arrivals can also skip quarantine if they produce evidence that they have recovered from Covid-19 or have been vaccinated.

Schools reopening

After a nearly four months recess, all primary school pupils and the final year secondary school students will return to classrooms with strict safety measures in place. In western Slovenia, schools will reopen on Monday, with the eastern half to follow suit a week later, when western schools will go on holiday, explained state secretary at the Ministry of Education Damir Orehovec.

Exams and seminars for up to 10 students at the university level will also be allowed. Student dormitories are also opening, and individual lessons will be permitted at music and art schools. 

From Monday on, contactless sports training may also go ahead in groups of up to 10 people maintaining a distance of two metres.

Green light for shops and public transport, looser testing requirements

As students return to schools, public transport restrictions will be completely relaxed, said Minister of Infrastructure Jernej Vrtovec. Gatherings of up to 10 people will also be allowed.

All shops may reopen from Monday and customers will no longer have to produce a negative test, said State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy Ajda Cuderman. Rules on visitor density (one customer per 30 sq m in closed spaces) remain in place. 

New, looser testing requirements will be introduced across the board for all services. Skiers will be able to buy a pass with a negative test no older than 7 days (compared to the current 24 hour validity). Although customers are now exempt, negative test will be required from some service providers, including all retail, as well as hairdressers and beauty salons. Taxi drivers, as well as driving school teachers and students will need a negative test no older than three days.