Coronavirus will close schools, bars and airports. Crisis staff adopts precautions

Everybody who returns from abroad will have to go into 14-day home quarantine.

Disinfecting the buses in Bratislava on March 9. Disinfecting the buses in Bratislava on March 9. (Source: TASR)

The crisis staff has adopted tough measures to stop coronavirus infection from spreading.

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It has decided to close schools, bars, ski centres and water parks, and all three international airports for 14 days, PM Peter Pellegrini (Smer) informed on March 12.

Moreover, everybody who returns from abroad will have to go into 14-day home quarantine. For those who do not want to threaten their family members, the Interior Ministry will open its facilities. Those interested will have to call 112, where they will receive further information.

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Shopping centres will be closed during the upcoming weekend, with only groceries, drugstores and pharmacies opened. If there are many people during the working week, the crisis staff will decide on further restrictions.

Meanwhile, the state is discussing with travel agencies the possibility of cancelling all trips abroad.

>>> Follow news about the coronavirus in Slovakia here.

“The aim of these precautions is to prevent the onset of infection,” Pellegrini said, and asked people to be patient and respect the restrictions.

The prime minister assured the public of having stocks of necessary protective devices like respirators, which will be distributed to doctors and hospitals soon. They also have one-off masks that they plan to distribute for free to everybody who needs them.

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At the same time, they plan to extend the testing capacities, and also purchase some devices from abroad, Pellegrini informed.

Related article Six new coronavirus cases confirmed in Slovakia Read more 

The border controls started on March 13 at 7:00:

Check out which border crossings are still open (green) and which are closed (red):

The Foreign Affairs Ministry recommends against travelling abroad as long as the state of emergency remains in force.

As of March 13, 2020 all persons coming to Slovakia from abroad are obliged to remain in quarantine for 14 days.


As for transport restrictions from March 13, the Transport Ministry imposes increased measures for international transport:

Railway Transport
International trains will not operate. Domestic rail passenger transport will operate according to Saturday timetables every day as of Saturday March 14, 2020. Train cars and premises of the railway stations are regularly disinfected.

Bus Transport
International bus transport is not allowed to operate from or to Slovakia.

Truck Transport of Goods
Freight transport is permitted for domestic as well as international routes to provide for supplying services. Truck drivers must be equipped with protective equipment.

Maritime Transport
Passenger cruise vessels are not allowed to enter harbours in Slovakia. They can sail through the territory without stopping.

Air Transport
All international passenger flights from and to Slovakia will be stopped.

Post Offices
The Slovenská Pošta state-run postal service operates in a limited regime and it adapts its opening hours as appropriate. The branches are regularly disinfected.

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