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Ban on sale of hand sanitisers, face masks lifted
GoOpti to suspend services in Slovenia
New restrictions in place to contain epidemic
STA, 16 March 2020 - Sweeping new restrictions entered into force at midnight to contain the coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia. Most shops will be closed, public transportation will not operate and schools will be closed.
The vast majority of retail establishments will remain closed along with shops providing services, such as hair salons, beauty parlours, restaurants and gyms.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, post offices, petrol stations, newsstands and stores selling agricultural products will be open.
The decree does not come with a time limit, it will remain in place until it is revoked.
The government also decided to indefinitely extend the previous government's two-week decree ordering the closure of all educational institutions.
Monday will also be the last day for aircraft movements as a ban on air traffic was announced for Tuesday.
Croatia limits entry ban to Slovenians from border region
STA, 16 March 2020 - After a back-and-forth on Sunday by Croatian authorities regarding whether Slovenia was on Croatia's list of coronavirus crisis countries, Croatia said on Sunday evening that Slovenians will be turned back on the Croatian border or sent into 14-day self-isolation in Croatia only if they come from the border region of Bela Krajina.
While the Croatian Foreign Ministry still said on Sunday afternoon the border measure applied for the whole of Slovenia, it later back-pedalled to name the restriction already in place before and applying only to passengers hailing from Bela Krajina.
Thus, those from Bela Krajina wishing to enter Croatia will be rejected by Croatian police in case they do not opt for a 14-day self-isolation at a Croatian address.
The same home quarantine applies for Croatians who go to work in Bela Krajina and decide to return home.
While Bela Krajina is not the only Slovenian region bordering on Croatia, it has been affected by coronavirus disproportionally.
As of Sunday, Slovenians are no longer allowed to enter Serbia. As an additional measure to contain the outbreak, a temporary ban has been issued by Serbian authorities for foreigners coming from Slovenia, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Greece and Switzerland.
Specialist registrars mobilised to help fight coronavirus
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government adopted a decree on Sunday suspending all doctors' specializations. Specialist registrars and interns, meaning doctors who have not obtained their licences yet, will be included in efforts to prevent, manage and deal with the coronavirus epidemic.
All their obligations concerning specialisation, including rotation and exams are suspended until further notice. During that time no new specialisations will start either.
Specialist registrars and interns will be deployed where their services will be required. They could be assigned to work at the health institutions where they worked as interns or any other post where they are needed.
Doctors who do not have their licences yet will be working with mentors assigned to them by their employer, the government said.
Ban on sale of protective equipment lifted
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government has lifted a ban on the sale of protective equipment that had been put in place last week to ensure a sufficient supply of face masks, sanitizer and protective suit for health and rescue personnel.
Under a decree that took effect on Sunday evening, the ban was revoked with immediate effect to prevent any problems occurring.
"Sales must be approved if we want to supply this protective equipment and to make sure work in this area runs smoothly," Health Minister Tomaž Gantar said after a meeting Sunday evening with hospital directors.
Face masks and hand sanitizer had been sold out for several days before the ban anyway and Gantar said if and when they are available again in pharmacies, people will be able to buy them.
GoOpti to suspend Slovenian services
As announced on the shuttle company’s website:
From March 16 all transfer within, to and from Slovenia, Croatia and Austria has been CANCELLED as well. New bookings will not be possible for these dates. Passengers will be reimbursed the cost of canceled transportation in the form of a discount code for future bookings. Passengers will be notified by SMS and e-mail.
