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This summary is provided by the STA:
Covid restrictions stepped up, but no new lockdown
LJUBLJANA - Amidst surging infections, the government decided late on Friday evening to tighten Covid restrictions instead of imposing another lockdown. From Monday, the Covid pass mandate is expanded to apply to people older than 12, opening hours of bars and restaurants restricted, night clubs closed, gatherings banned and only surgical or FFP2 masks allowed. Shops will be restricted to accepting one customer per at least 10 square metres. At cultural and sports events and religious services physical distancing will have to be observed. Schools will remain open, however the frequency of voluntary self-testing among primary and secondary school students will increase to three times per week from 15 November.
Over 3,660 Covid cases reported for Friday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 3,662 new coronavirus infections on Friday with the positivity rate standing at 38.1%, up slightly on the day before, show fresh figures by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). Government data show 14 Covid-19 patients died, and hospitalisations dropped by 13 to 748 this morning, including 175 ICU cases, down by two on the day before. Both the seven-day average of new cases and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population increased, by 95 to 2,766 and by 66 to 1,669, respectively, NIJZ data show.
Supervisors dismiss Elektro Ljubljana chairman, report says
LJUBLJANA - The supervisory board of Elektro Ljubljana, Slovenia's largest electricity distributor, dismissed on Friday the company's chairman Andrej Ribič, reported the N1 portal, quoting the Pozareport portal's Twitter post. The reason for the dismissal is not known, N1 said, adding that the current chief financial officer Marjan Ravnikar was to take over the management of the company.
Committee throws out pharmacy bill after upper chamber veto
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Health Committee rejected amendments to the pharmacy act on Friday evening after the National Council vetoed the changes in late October. The bill was thrown out in an 8:7 vote. The centre-left opposition and the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC), the initiator of the changes, supported the bill, whereas the coalition Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi) voted against.
Committee debates staff shortages in primary care
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Health Committee heard on Friday experts' warnings about major issues in primary care, including staff shortages, problems with patients' access to GPs and a non-stimulating environment. The MPs mainly agreed with this assessment of the situation with some urging the experts to propose concrete solutions. Željko Cigler of the Left proposed a public consultation on the matter, but the proposal was rejected in a 7:7 vote.
Foreign Minister Logar admitted to hospital, report says
LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar has been admitted to the UKC Ljubljana medical centre, reported the news portal Siol.net. According to unofficial information, the minister has appendicitis and is awaiting surgery. No further information on his condition is yet available.
Student Radio raises nearly EUR 88,000 in donations to carry on
LJUBLJANA - Radio Študent, an independent radio station that has been struggling in the wake of funding cuts, has raised EUR 87,820 in a campaign that ended with September. The donations will enable the radio station to finish this year as planned if there are no "new major surprises", Ana Kandare, the head of the Radio Študent institute, told the STA.
Famed Swiss organ unveiled in Koper cathedral
KOPER - The Koper cathedral inaugurated its new organ at a mass, which was attended by Apostolic Nuncio to Slovenia Jean-Marie Speich and President Borut Pahor. The organ, which came as a donation from the famous Tonhalle concert hall in Zurich, is the second largest in Slovenia and will sound in a concert for the first time in the country on Sunday.
