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This summary is provided by the STA:
Infectologist sceptical about Russian vaccine for Covid-19
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian infectologist Mateja Logar said not much was known about the vaccine for Covid-19 whose registration in Russia was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin today. There is no sufficient data on its mechanism and safety, so it is too early for euphoria, she told the press. She also said that only 6% of vaccines which had been in the clinical testing phase actually entered the market. "If we currently have ten good candidates, this means that perhaps one or none will get to the phase when it can be effectively and safely used." Slovenia will be purchasing the medications or a vaccine for Covid-19 as part of the EU, but the government has not yet decided how many dosages it will purchase in the first phase.
Kangler: Slovenia supports Croatia's Schengen zone entry
ILIRSKA BISTRICA - Slovenia supports Croatia's accession to the Schengen zone because this will help prevent illegal migration at the EU's external border, Interior Ministry State Secretary Franc Kangler said after meeting his Croatian counterpart Terezija Gras in Ilirska Bistrica, south-west. "I'm glad that both Slovenia and Croatia agree that Croatia's joining the Schengen zone is the next step towards enhanced control of the external border," Gras said. The pair's meeting focussed on cooperation in efforts to prevent illegal crossings of the border.
Slovenia applies for SURE support for EUR 1.1bn in stimulus measures
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia formally submitted its application for financial support as part of the European instrument for temporary support to mitigate unemployment risks in an emergency (SURE). SURE will provide financial support in the form of low-interest loans to EU member states worth a total of EUR 100 billion. Slovenia would like to spent the money to provide support to furloughed workers, enable short-time work, basic income, state-covered social contributions for the self-employed and other groups.
17 new coronavirus cases, one death
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 17 new coronavirus infections from 1,058 tests on Monday and one more fatality, which brings the total case count to 2,272, including 171 active cases, and the overall death toll to 129, according to official data. Government spokesman Jelko Kacin said at least eight of the latest cases were imported, one from Bosnia-Herzegovina and seven from Croatia, where many Slovenians are on holiday. He described Slovenia's status with 7.99 infections per 100,000 people as very safe.
Fellow DeSUS minister backs MPs' call for Pivec's resignation
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Tomaž Gantar, the head of the council of the coalition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), supported the deputy group's decision to seek the resignation of party leader Aleksandra Pivec, who is also agriculture minister. He will call a council session to take a vote of no-confidence in Pivec, which will be held not later than on 25 August. DeSUS deputy group head Franc Jurša informed PM Janez Janša of the latest developments on Monday evening, and Janša said today the party should solve its problems on its own. The opposition LMŠ and the Left meanwhile joined the calls for Pivec's resignation as the party head and minister. They also see a vote of no-confidence in her as an alternative. Political analysts meanwhile think Pivec will probably have to go, noting Desus is in a tough spot.
President and Austrian MP see plebiscite anniversary as opportunity for minority
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor and Austrian MP Olga Voglauer, a member of the Slovenian ethnic minority in Austria, shared the view that the upcoming 100th anniversary of a vote that determined the course of the border between present-day Austria and Slovenia is an opportunity to improve the position of the minority. Voglauer was received by Pahor in Ljubljana ahead of the centenary of the plebiscite in Carinthia, which was held on 10 October 1920 in the wake of the disintegration of Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Start of new football season postponed 10 days due to Covid-19 infections
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The Slovenian Football Association (NZS) decided to postpone the start of the new premier league season from 12 to 22 August as three more players tested positive for Sars-CoV-2 as part of obligatory testing on Monday. All three positive players come from Ljubljana's Olimpija, which became the third premiere league club with positive cases, after one each had been reported in previous weeks by Domžale and Aluminij. The NZS also decided that for now, all games under its auspices will be played without spectators.
Value of redeemed vouchers rises to EUR 50m
LJUBLJANA - Slovenians redeemed EUR 49,71 million worth of tourism vouchers between 19 June and 9 August, which is 14% of the amount made available under the government's stimulus scheme, in place until the end of the year. The coast, mountains and spas have been the primary beneficiaries, while cities are continuing to struggle. Data from the Financial Administration show the seaside municipality of Piran topping the list with EUR 9.9 million collected so far.
Mountain huts see drop in guests, albeit more Slovenians visiting this year
LJUBLJANA - The coronavirus pandemic has caused the number of visitors in mountain huts plummet by 25%, while some huts high in the mountains have seen their visitor numbers drop by as much as 50%, as significantly fewer foreigners are hiking in Slovenia this year. However, the number of Slovenians staying at the huts has increased. The Slovenian Alpine Association said huts accessible by car had actually seen their visitor numbers go up, as many Slovenians decided to redeem their tourism vouchers there.
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