Slovenia tightens Covid-19 curbs

Public events and gatherings are temporarily banned, discos close, students will be tested at school three times a week

The Slovenian government has adopted new measures to contain the growing spread of Covid-19 infections sparked by the Delta variant. The restrictions were announced today, Saturday, at a press conference attended by the Minister of Health Janez Poklukar, the head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health Mateja Logar and the director of the National Institute of Public Health Milan Krek.

The government’s decree enters into force on 8 November, except for the testing requirement for schools which will come into effect on 15 November.

Restrictions at a glance

The following prevention and control measures against Covid-19 will be put in place:

• The PCT condition (recovered, vaccinated, tested) is met if a person presents one of the three proofs of immunity accompanied by a valid identity document.  
• The age limit for exemptions from meeting the PCT condition has been lowered to 12 years, from the current limit of 15 years.
• People coming for Covid-19 and influenza vaccinations, as well as for testing for coronavirus infection, need not present proof of immunity status.
• Visitors to shops selling essential items must be provided with 10 square metres of space each. The maximum number of customers who can be in the store at the same time must be clearly stated at the entrance.
• From 15 November 2021, pupils and students who are not vaccinated will be subject to three-times-a-week rapid antigen self-testing. Testing will take place at schools and not at home, as before. Each student will be entitled to 15 free tests per month.
• Protective masks can include a surgical mask or mask of the FFP2 type, while masks made of fabric will no longer be recognized.
• Catering and drinking establishments are allowed to serve only seated clients who meet the PCT condition between 5 am and 10 pm. The maximum number of guests allowed simultaneously inside must be stated in a visible place.
• The operation of restaurants that offer music for dancing or social programmes is not allowed. The same applies to discos and similar venues.
• Mass gatherings are temporarily prohibited, except for get-togethers of close relatives or members of the same household.
• All public events, public gatherings, celebrations and wedding ceremonies are temporarily prohibited, unless otherwise provided by decrees or other acts of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
• Public cultural events are not allowed in open public areas, but can be held in closed public spaces with fixed seating. Attendees must meet the PCT condition and wear protective masks, and there has to be an empty seat between two people.
• Public sporting events are only permitted if they are held in rooms with fixed seating, with a free seat separating the spectators, and under a face mask obligation. All participants must meet the PCT condition.
• Collective worship is permitted provided that the participants meet the PCT condition while wearing protective masks and maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres from each other.

Remote working for civil servants

Minister Janez Poklukar said that the public administration will switch to working from home where possible, and such work organization is also recommended to other sectors. 

Mateja Logar emphasized that the healthcare system in Slovenia is under a great strain, adding that all residents who need medical care must receive it, not just those suffering from Covid-19. "The measures must not be interpreted as an encroachment on personal freedom, but as something that will bring us back to normality and a sustainable healthcare system,” she concluded, as quoted by the Government Communication Office.

Uphill battle

Milan Krek warned that if case numbers continue to climb at the present rate, the country will face a very difficult situation in the coming months. He urged Slovenians to join forces and control the virus together through mass vaccination and compliance with the measures, so that schools, the economy, and the healthcare system can function.

On Friday, according to the NIJZ website, 3,662 cases of infection were confirmed across Slovenia using PCR tests,   which is 38.1 percent of those tested. 1,194,602 people were vaccinated with one dose of Covid vaccine, and 1,124,168 have received full two doses.