News digest: Split coalition fails to pass stricter restrictions for the unvaccinated

Everyone is required to fill out the online form when returning from abroad, regardless of vaccination status. All shops will be closed on Monday.

(Source: SME.sk / Hej,ty)

Good afternoon. The Friday, July 2 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready, providing the main news of the day in less than five minutes. We wish you a pleasant read.

Sme Rodina blocked stricter rules for the unvaccinated

Coalition party Sme Rodina blocked the cabinet-proposed amendment that would make vaccination or negative Covid test results a requirement to enter restaurants, fitness centres and other facilities, despite the six-hour coalition session the previous day.

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The law introducing this use for the Covid passes was expected to be on the programme of the ongoing parliamentary session, but due to the refusal of Sme Rodina it was postponed until later.

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Chairman Boris Kollár said that it will be submitted to the next parliamentary session after the coalition partners agree on a compromise. He and his party insist that people must not be divided into two categories, vaccinated and unvaccinated, and that the PCR tests that unvaccinated people will be required to take to be able to enter, for example, a restaurant, must not be paid from their own pockets.

Sme Rodina objects against the law even though its two ministers voted to approve it at the cabinet session on Wednesday.

Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) insists that the vaccinated must enjoy advantages.

The passing of the law does not affect the new rules on borders, which will give an advantage to vaccinated people as of July 9. On the same day, the Czech Republic introduces a similar regime on its borders, changing the definition of a vaccinated person. One vaccine dose will no longer be enough for people to be considered immunised.

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The parliament did pass the amendment that enables the Finance Ministry to announce a lottery to motivate people to get a jab. Another financial reward can be claimed by adults who persuade another adult to get vaccinated between July 1 and October 31.


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Coronavirus and vaccination development

  • In Slovakia, 2,030,946 vaccinated people have been vaccinated with the first dose and 1,587,668 people are fully vaccinated.
  • Everyone who returns from abroad, even those who only went shopping in a town close to the border, is obliged to register at korona.gov.sk/ehranica when returning to Slovakia. This is also an obligation of those who are vaccinated and do not have to go into quarantine. Registration might be checked by the police, the Health Ministry claims.

Photo of the day

Slovakia has the same mural as Prague, Budapest, and Warsaw. Read more in Spectacular Slovakia Weekly, in which we write about Americans learning Slovak folk songs, Princess Diana's visit to Bratislava, and non-cultivated edible plants.


Feature story for today

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In other news

  • Travel agencies will get state aid in the form of repayable financial assistance to secure their liquidity. The Finance Ministry estimates that tour operators will need approximately €60 million.
  • All shops will be closed on July 5, as it is Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, a state holiday.
  • During the last three days, the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) has detained and charged 14 people with tax crimes and the establishment and support of a criminal group. Those charged are former leading representatives of the Financial Administration and employees of the tax office at various levels of management.
  • Igor Matovič registered for the Sputnik V vaccination before the registration closed on Wednesday. (Denník N)
  • Slovakia's brown bear intervention team dealt with a problematic bear and her two cubs that were causing damage between Hrebienok and Starý Smokovec in the High Tatras. They were sedated and moved to the wild nature of the High Tatras.
  • Slovaks spend two to three hours on social networks every day. Only 2 percent of people do not use social media at all. Social networks are more popular in Slovakia than in the Czech Republic, where the average time spent on them is 30 minutes less. (AMI Digital Index)

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If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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