Illustrative stock photo (source: TASR/AP)
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After several days of negotiations between PM Igor Matovič and scientists and epidemiologists, who were invited to discuss ways to improve the deteriorating situation surrounding the pandemic in Slovakia, new measures have been introduced. They were approved by the government on Sunday evening.
The aim of the new anti-epidemic rules should be to lower mobility, decrease the spread of the infection and prevent the import of new mutations and slow the increase of the number of hospitalisations in the upcoming three weeks.
If the new measures fail to achieve that aim by March 21, the country will prepare for the implementation of a strict limitation of movement, suspension of production and the closure of the country.
The new measures are the following:
From March 8, it will be compulsory to wear FFP2 masks in shops and on public transport.
From March 15, FFP2 respirators will be compulsory indoors. This measure does not apply to children who wear masks.Kindergartens and the first four years of primary schools will be open only for children of employees who have to go to work physically. Employees and pupils will be tested twice a week on their own with self-tests.
People who test positive with Covid-19 will not be able to leave home unless they are visiting a doctor or going to the pharmacy. Until now, they could go shopping for essentials if they did not have someone who could shop for them.
The government wants to require a72-hour negative Covid test for entrance to Slovakia from cross-border commuters from neighbouring countriesand keep in place the other conditions of the border regime.Travelling between districts for the purpose of outings in nature is prohibited.
Inhabitants of Bratislava can travel within the Bratislava Region.
Inhabitants of Košice can also go to the Košice-okolie district.As of Wednesday, March 3: Between 5:00 and 20:00, inhabitants can go out for essential reasons. The new rules and exceptions will apply until at least March 19, 2021.
The curfew applies between 20:00 and 1:00, but those travelling to work (if necessary) and the doctors are exempt. So are people going out into nature and walking pets.
All members of a household in Covid quarantine will be entitled to the Covid benefit. This should motivate people to strictly observe quarantine rules. The care of a family member (OČR) benefit and incapacity for work (PN) benefit should also increase.
The vaccination strategy should be updated based on available data from clinical trials. The Covid automat warning system should also be renewed in accordance with the accepted strategy of testing and other measures.
Weekly sequencing of at least 500 randomly selected positive Covid-19 samples should be initiated promptly. Once every two weeks, all positive samples should be tested for the presence of the British and South Africa variants.
The government will provide more information on the new measures on March 1. The Slovak Spectator will bring more details then.
Exceptions from curfew starting March 3, 2021
Between 5:00 and 20:00 without test
going to essential stores, like grocery stores, pharmacies, chemists, pet shops and the petrol station;
going to the doctor’s and medical facilities;
going to testing;
going out into nature, except for the black tier (Warning level 4): only within one's district (the inhabitants of the city of Bratislava can travel throughout the entire Bratislava Region; the inhabitants of the city of Košice can also go to the Košice-okolie district);
going to funeral, wedding ceremony and christening;
taking care of a relative or close person;
walking pets within 1km diameter from the place of living, taking care of farm animals;
taking children to parents (if they are separated) based on the court’s decision;
taking people to nursing homes;
medical walks with older people within 1km diameter from the place of living;
going to an appointment at a law enforcement body or to court.
Between 5:00 and 20:00 with a negative test
school employees:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
accompanying children to school:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
going to work if you cannot work from home or going to a job interview:
*confirmation from your employer with the time and place of work;
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days for dark red- and black-tier districts;
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 14 days in red-tier districts;
*negative PCR or antigen test result no older than 21 days in light red-tier districts;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
going out into nature in the black-tier districts (Warning level 4):
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required (only people aged 15-65 years);
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you have been vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
going to dry cleaners, newsstands, opticians, banks, insurance companies, libraries, bicycle services and car repair shops, facilities providing the technical and emission control of vehicles, delivery points and issue points of online shops, garden shops, shoe repair shops, telecom shops, and scrapyards:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
going to mass events approved by the Public Health Authority (ÚVZ):
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
taking someone abroad:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested.
Between 20:00 and 1:00
going to and from work: confirmation from your employer with the time and place of work, and:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days for dark red- and black-tier districts;
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 14 days in red-tier districts;
*negative PCR or antigen test result no older than 21 days in light red-tier districts;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
necessary medical treatment;
taking care of a relative or close person;
walking pets within 1km diameter from the place of living, taking care of farm animals;
going out into nature; in the black-tier districts (Warning level 4) under following condition:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required (only people aged 15-65 years);
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you have been vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested;
taking someone abroad:
*negative PCR or antigen test no older than 7 days required;
*or confirmation you have recovered from Covid-19 no older than 3 months;
*or confirmation you were vaccinated with the second shot at least 14 days ago;
*or confirmation that you could not be tested.
Read more about coronavirus in Slovakia:
Measures valid in Slovakia as of February 8 and updates on the requirement of a negative test result
Tightened border regime: State orders self-isolation and testing for all incomers as of February 17
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
