Illustrative stock photo (source: TASR)
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All primary schools, art schools and kindergartens in the capital will stay closed from March 10 until the end of the week, Bratislava Mayor Matúš Vallo stated.
The announcement came after Ružinov borough Mayor Martin Chren reported that one of the infected people is a teacher from the kindergarten on Palkovičova Street. Following the instructions from the Regional Public Health Authority, it will be closed until March 22.
“Although the measures may seem drastic, we have to do them,” Vallo said, as quoted by the Sme daily. “Success also depends on individual decisions.”
Several secondary schools and universities have also been closed as a precaution to stop the spreading of the coronavirus.
Which schools remain closed?
All primary schools, art schools and kindergartens in Bratislava (March 10-13).
All secondary schools operated by the Bratislava Self-Governing Region (March 9-13). The closure concerns about 50 facilities including secondary schools on Na Pántoch Street, Drieňová Street and Tomášikova Street, as well as eight-year grammar schools, primary schools on Dunajská Street and Teplická Street, and secondary vocational school in Malinovo.
Primary school on Hlboká Street (March 9-18).
Bratislava Cambridge International School (for two weeks, starting on March 9).
Five universities in Bratislava: Comenius University (until March 21), the Slovak University of Technology (until March 21), the University of Economics (until March 21), the Academy of Performing Arts (until March 14), and the Slovak Medical University (until March 21). The Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, which belongs to Comenius University, has suspended classes until March 21. Later on March 9, also private Pan-European University in Bratislava announced the cancellation of classes until March 16.
Secondary schools administered by the Trnava Self-Governing Region (March 10-13).
Secondary schools administered by the Košice Self-Governing Region (March 9-10).
The Technical University of Košice (March 9-20), and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (March 10-13). Pavol Jozef Šafárik University changes the type of education to a distance one (March 10-22).
Trnava University in Trnava (until March 24).
Also both universities in Nitra, Constantine the Philosopher University and the Slovak University of Agriculture, have cancelled classes until March 22.
The city of Trnava will close day care facilities, kindergartens and primary schools until March 13.
Several towns in Bratislava Region will close schools, kindergartens and after-school facilities. The town of Pezinok will close all schools and kindergartens it administers from March 10 to March 17. The schools and kindergartens in Senec will be closed on March 9 and 10. In Malacky, school and after-school facilities will be closed through March 13.
Prešov University decided on cancelling the classes from March 10 to March 23. It also recommended its teaching staff go on holiday or work from home.
The Trenčín Self-Governing Region will close the secondary schools it administers through March 23.
Several other towns across Slovakia decided to close kindergartens and primary schools they administer for a couple of days. This includes Martin, Piešťany, Šamorín, Hlohovec, and Stupava.
In Košice, several primary schools and kindergartens will be closed, with education planned to be restored on March 16. The language school on Užhorodská Street will be closed between March 11 and March 16.
Banská Bystrica Region will suspend classes at secondary schools it administers. Also Matej Bel University and the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica will be closed from March 12. Also Žilina Region will close the secondary schools it administers from March 12 through March 16, while primary schools and kindergartens are closed through March 13.
Primary schools and kindergartens administered by the city will also stay closed in Nitra from March 12 through March 16. Also the primary schools administered by Topoľčany (Nitra Region) will be closed between March 12 and March 20. The town of Handlová (Trenčín Region) will close the schools it administers from March 13 to March 16.
Measures taken
The crisis staff issued several measures on March 6:
All flights from Slovak international airports to Italy have been banned since Monday, March 9.
School trips and excursions abroad are banned.
Travellers at airports should be ready to have their temperature measured.
Patients' visits in all hospitals around Slovakia are banned.
Visits to social care facilities are banned as well.
Info campaign will be conducted at border crossings with Austria - Berg, Kittsee, and Jarovce. As of 16:00 on Friday, March 6, there will be additional checks at these border crossings; rescuers will be checking people for symptoms of the coronavirus.
The National Centre of Health Information recommends people in Slovakia use the ePrescription service and limit visits to the doctor. Thanks to e-Prescription, people can just call their doctor on the phone and ask for a prescription, which they can then pick up in any pharmacy.
The government recommends the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia to consider restricting religious services that are attended by larger numbers of people.
