MPs have given the green light to extending the national emergency, approved by the cabinet on December 29.
Our paywall policy:
The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.
It was upheld by 83 lawmakers out of 108 present, the TASR newswire reported.
The recently passed legislation stipulates that the cabinet can repeatedly extend the 90-day national emergency by 40 days. This decision needs to be confirmed by the parliament within 20 days after the extension comes into force.
This should serve as some kind of a constitutional safeguard in the system of power distribution and the principle of checks and balances. Such a safeguard should also be applied when a national emergency is declared, TASR reported.
Cabinet prolongs the national emergency by 40 days Read moreIn its proposal submitted to the parliament the cabinet pointed to the critical situation in hospitals and other medical facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the need to keep the working mobility of healthcare workers and the limitation of movement and social contacts.
Read more about the coronavirus outbreak in Slovakia:
Do I have the new coronavirus? How to proceed if you have a suspicion
I encountered a person who is COVID-19 positive. What do I do next? (FAQ)
When will I get my COVID vaccine? FAQs about vaccination in Slovakia