Masks will be compulsory out in the streets. The government hopes to contain the rising second wave of the coronavirus pandemic with its latest measures. (source: TASR)
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Second wave rushes in
While on Friday, the talk was still centred around the most-hit northern region of Orava, where the government has sent the army to help hospitals and hygienists, the conversation about how to contain the second wave that is currently inundating all of Slovakia has significantly shifted over the weekend.
On Saturday, public health offices reported 1,887 new COVID-positive people, which prompted the pandemic commission (representatives of several ministries, epidemiologists, and hygienists) to convene for an unscheduled session that resulted in a number of stringent rules for Slovakia.
By Sunday night, the crisis staff announced the restrictive measures mainly affecting gastro, fitness and wellness facilities, as well as all events. Secondary schools are now closed and all pupils at primary schools must wear their masks at all times.
>>> Take a look at the measures that come into effect in Slovakia this week
Border closures and the use of a quarantine-tracking app have been dismissed as unnecessary at this point, when most surrounding countries have a better standing with the epidemic than Slovakia and imported cases from abroad are no longer a significant factor in the spread of the coronavirus.
