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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Official coronavirus case count at 275, actual figure likely five times higher
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Tomaž Gantar warned Slovenians that everyone should behave as if they were contagious as he said that the number of those infected with the novel coronavirus was likely five-fold the official number of confirmed cases, at 275. This was because those with mild symptoms who can stay at home are no longer being tested. A total of 7,587 tests have been taken so far. Bojana Beović, the expert affiliated with the government coronavirus crisis response team, said that despite the changed approach the number of tests had not been reduced. Six of those infected are foreigners.
Govt to step up measures to contain coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša announced a stepping up of measures to contain the coronavirus epidemic after chairing a session of the National Security Council in the broadest format yet that also saw President Borut Pahor, speakers of both houses of parliament and heads of opposition parties and the two minority MPs. The most urgent legislative measures are expected to be adopted on Thursday, followed by an umbrella crisis package. "These will be measures you have never seen before, because the situation is strategically different," said Janša.
Commissioner Lenarčič argues for widespread testing
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič told Slovenian reporters in Brussels that the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease (ECDC) both advised as much testing for coronavirus as possible, which the Commission belives should be followed. The Slovenian believes the measures being taken now can start producing effects in a week or two. "If the virus's spread is limited significantly, we'll know in about 10 to 14 days what the real scale of this problem is," he assessed.
Austria, Croatia closing small crossings on Slovenia border
LJUBLJANA/ZAGREB, Croatia - Austria and Croatia announced they would temporarily close dozens of small crossings on the border with Slovenia to help stop the spread of coronavirus, after which the Slovenian government ordered closure of 27 local border crossings with Croatia from Tuesday. Major crossings remain open. As of midnight Tuesday, crossings to and from Austria will only be allowed at the major crossings Karavanke, Šentilj, Gornja Radgona and Ljubelj, and the smaller border posts Kuzma, Jurij, Trate, Radelj, Gederovci, Korensko Sedlo, Holmec and Vič.
Rajko Kozmelj steps down as SOVA intelligence agency boss
LJUBLJANA - The head of the intelligence agency SOVA, Rajko Kozmelj, stepped down with immediate effect saying he had received no instructions or guidelines from the new government, which he sees as a sign of personal distrust. Kozmelj was also excluded from the National Security Council, which transformed into the National Operational Defence Headquarters yesterday because of the coronavirus epidemic. Kozmelj disagrees with this decision, finding it misguided. PM Janez Janša commented that intel services had little role in fighting a virus.
Govt pushing back tax duties for companies, taking direct control of budget
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a set of emergency measures that reduce the administrative and tax burdens on companies affected by the coronavirus epidemic. The bill on emergency measures in the field of public finances also gives the government greater discretion in the use of budget funds. The Finance Ministry also announced a bill that would allow business to ask banks for a 12-month deferral of credit payments in case these were not already due before the epidemic set in.
Fiscal rule not to hinder fight against coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - The government welcomed EU-wide agreement that fiscal rules should not stand in the way of action to fight the coronavirus epidemic. "The role of the fiscal rule is acknowledged and will be respected, but saving lives and economic recovery must be given priority in these times," Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj said. "We are pleased that the importance of flexibility in respecting fiscal policy has been acknowledged by European institutions as well," said Šircelj after eurozone and EU finance ministers held a videoconference on Monday.
Many Slovenians still stranded abroad, new evacuation flights planned
LJUBLJANA - Around 90 Slovenian citizens have requested consular help unable to return home due to border closures. The government is planning additional evacuation flights after successfully organising a special flight from Moscow, Andrej Šter, the head of the Foreign Ministry's consular service, told Radio Slovenija. In addition to the 90 who have contacted consular services, Šter said at least twice as many were probably still stranded abroad. Slovenian citizens have been advised to cancel all travel plans.
Army field hospital ready to admit Covid-19 patients
LJUBLJANA - The field hospital at the Edvard Peperko Barracks on the outskirts of Ljubljana is ready to admitting Covid-19 patients if necessary. The basis for the new unit, which can serve as an isolation centre for up to 140 patients, was the main field hospital of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Role 2, which was relocated from Maribor. Defence Minister Matej Tonin paid a visit today, saying the hospital was ready as backup, but was hopeful it would actually end up being used for other purposes.
Boxmark to make face masks for the state
KIDRIČEVO - Car upholstery maker Boxmark Leather plans to launch production of protective face masks for Slovenia next week. CEO Marjan Trobiš told the STA the launch depended mainly on the supply of material, the machines are ready. "At the moment, the demand is the highest for masks, since there are thousands of people who need to wear them for protection and self-protection at work. Every country is protecting its interests and does not allow exports of these products, so we decided to help our country," Trobiš said. Boxmark will produce the masks for the state only, not for the market.
Talks reportedly under way to use tocilizumab drug in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - Pharmaceutical company Roche confirmed for Delo that talks were under way in Slovenia on the use of tocilizumab, an immunosuppressive drug used to treat pneumonia in coronavirus patients. "We are in talks with the local regulator, health institutions and doctors about the possibility to secure the tocilizumab drug for Slovenian patients who need it," Delo quoted Roche as saying. There is no firm evidence as yet about the drug's efficacy against coronavirus, but limited trials in Italy and China have shown promising results.
Migrants test negative for coronavirus
ILIRSKA BISTRICA - The police announced that a group of migrants that crossed the border illegally and were apprehended on Sunday evening tested negative for the novel coronavirus. Several media reported that some of the nine migrants, who were transported in a van by two Bosnian citizens, had been coughing and showing signs of fever. After the tests returned negative, they were all accommodated in a migrant centre, while the alleged smugglers face charges.
Industrial output broadly flat in January
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's industrial output was broadly flat in January compared to the year before as industrial production rose by 0.3%. Only manufacturing performed better than in January 2019. Manufacturing, by far the biggest segment of industry recorded a 3.1% year-on-year increase in output. Mining output plunged by more than a quarter and the supply of electricity, gas and steam declined by just over 20%.
State urged to preserve Bled as lake turns red
BLED - The local authorities at the lakeside resort of Bled called on the national authorities to help them maintain the popular Lake Bled and remedy the deteriorating state of the water, which has been coloured red for months due to the spread of cyanobacteria. The open letter from the Municipality of Bled has been sent to the National Assembly, the Slovenian president, government and the National Council, calling for immediate state aid in the maintenance of the lake.
Division I ice hockey worlds in Slovenia cancelled
LJUBLJANA - Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) cancelled the Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, whose Group A tournament was scheduled to take place in the Slovenian capital between 27 April and 3 May. In addition to the Slovenian national team, the tournament in Ljubljana's Tivoli Arena was supposed to feature France, Austria, South Korea, Hungary and Romania. The new date for the tournament will be determined at the next IIHF congress, which is scheduled to take place in June.
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