Ljubljana related

05 Feb 2021, 13:08 PM

STA, 5 February 2021 - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek announced additional relaxations of Covid restrictions in business on the sidelines of his visit to Podlehnik in the north-east on Friday. Stores and repair shops up to 400 square metres will reopen next week, provided that staff get tested for coronavirus weekly, he said.

The minister is pleased to see recent relaxations, including in schools. Precautionary measures are still crucial though, he warned.

The decision makers made the decision on further easing of restrictions in retail and services sector on Thursday evening after a meeting with business representatives.

Počivalšek said he would like to see a gradual return to normal to continue, however he warned that the situation could quickly turn for the worse if people were not responsible.

The cost of rapid tests that will be used in mass testing among staff will be covered by the state, he added.

Branko Meh, the head of Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS), told the STA on Thursday evening that most business activities would reopen next week under the condition that staff is tested for coronavirus at least once a week. He said that business representatives were pleased with the deal.

The relevant decree is expected to be published by the end of Friday and enter into force on Saturday, meaning that businesses which comply with new requirements would be allowed to open immediately.

Economy Ministry State Secretary Ajda Cuderman told the press Friday evening that some of the businesses which are currently open will henceforth have to test their employees on a weekly basis, including grocery shops, effective from 12 February.

For some types of businesses that will now be newly open, both providers and customers will have to be tested. Cuderman mentioned this requirement for establishments including tutoring, pet salons and real estate agencies.

04 Feb 2021, 15:29 PM

STA, 4 February 2021 - The Slovenian government has decided to suspend the current regional approach to coronavirus restrictions and move the entire country into the red tier, meaning that kindergartens and the first three grades of primary school will be open across the country next week.

The news was announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Janez Janša, who noted that differences between regions had been significant only weeks ago, but now the incidence of new coronavirus cases had converged.

The tier classification affects not just school opening but also business. Janša said the government would meet representatives of business this evening to discuss the potential scope for reopening.

At the moment, essential stores as well as stores selling children's equipment are open for in-person shopping in red-listed regions. Museums, galleries and libraries are open as well, as are ski resorts.

Under the decrees issued by the government, museums, galleries and libraries throughout the country can open on Friday, while ski lifts can start operating across the country on Saturday but only for skiers with a negative coronavirus test.

The current strategy lists several more types of businesses that may be slated for reopening in the red tier, including DIY stores and stores selling sports goods.

Janša said the talks with businesses would revolve around which businesses could reopen safely under the condition that customers get tested.

Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, a deputy prime minister, said the currently shut businesses were ready for reopening and wanted to work, but this had to be done safely.

"We can't ignore the fact that we're still in a deep crisis and that opening across the board would do more harm than good," he said.

Janša as well as Počivalšek and Defence Minister Minister Matej Tonin, who is also deputy prime minister, highlighted the importance of rapid testing despite recent concerns about the efficacy and reliability of tests.

Janša said the government regretted "attempts to discredit this measure" without a realistic comparison with other countries and noted that it had been clear from the outset that rapid tests were not as sensitive or reliable as PCR tests.

Tonin stressed that rapid testing had the potential to "significantly contain the spread of the virus" in that those who test positive can isolate and stop the chain of infections.

He also said it was important that the government stick to the five-tier plan, which he said provided "reliability and clarity".

The government decrees released today affect kindergartens, schools, museums, galleries and libraries. A decree determining which businesses may open has not been released yet.

04 Feb 2021, 11:51 AM

STA, 4 February 2021 - The government amended the rules for entry into Slovenia last night to scrap some of the exceptions for entering the country without the quarantine requirement and a negative coronavirus test.

The new rules will take effect a day after they are published in the Official Gazette, which was released today, meaning they will enter into force on Friday, deputy Police Commissioner Tomaž Pečjak explained at today's press conference. They will remain in place until 12 February.

Under the new rules daily migrants working in any of the EU or Schengen zone countries returning to the country after more than 14 hours will also be obligated to present a negative test, PCR or rapid test conducted in the EU, no older than seven days.

Those failing to present a negative test at the border who are residents of Slovenia will receive a quarantine order, which can be cut short with a negative test, Pečjak explained.

Negative tests will also be required for persons crossing the border occasionally due to their work in child care, education or science in Slovenia or the EU, and for EU citizens coming from other EU countries where they are providing care or support to vulnerable groups, providing for their family members, do maintenance work on their property or are involved in efforts to protect people's lives, health or assets and are returning within 12 hours since crossing the border.

A negative test requirement will also be in place for persons who have a medical appointment in Slovenia.

Entering the country without a negative test and quarantine will be possible in only ten cases, including for persons conducting international transport, persons transporting goods or persons into Slovenia, for transit passenger and freight transport if the person leaves the country within eight hours or returns to the country after no more than eight hours.

The government also slightly amended the list of red countries with a quarantine requirement, expanding it to some administrative units of Norway and Denmark.

The latest data on COVID and Slovenia

04 Feb 2021, 11:23 AM

https://english.sta.si/2863355/parliament-passes-eight-stimulus-law-worth-eur-320-million

STA, 3 February 2021 - Parliament passed in the early hours of Wednesday the eighth economic stimulus law that is to deliver boosts, worth around EUR 320 million, to mitigate the impact of the epidemic. The key measures are state shouldering of the minimum wage rise, the extension of the furlough scheme and introduction of fines for vaccine queue-jumping.

The furlough scheme, which has been in place since last spring, will be extended until the end of April, with the option of another two one-month extensions.

The measure, which has been well received by employers and has had a positive effect on the labour market, according to Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj, may be used by employers registered by 31 December 2020 whose revenue this year is estimated to drop by more than 20% year-on-year due to the epidemic.

The novelty in the furlough scheme is the state covering not only 80% but 100% of the wages in companies which are closed due to government-imposed restrictions.

The minimum wage increased this month to EUR 1,024 in gross terms. As companies are already struggling as it is, the government decided to temporarily cover part of the cost of the rise.

In line with the eighth relief package, a subsidy of EUR 50 per minimum wage worker is envisioned for the first half of the year, while in the second half, employers will be exempt from paying a part of social security contributions for their workers.

The opposition Left warned during the debate in parliament that the former would promote paying out low wages since those who would pay higher wages would not get anything.

The SocDems (SD) and Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) meanwhile proposed shouldering part of the cost only for those employers who are struggling due to the rise.

Both amendments were turned down by MPs.

In July, the minimum base for social security contributions will be temporarily lowered until the end of the year from 60% of average wage to the minimum wage amount.

The parliamentary Labour Committee proposed an amendment on Monday that the difference would be covered by budget funds to ensure that the workers in question would not be later deprived when it comes to their pension payments.

The proposal was thrown out though at the initiative of the coalition.

Moreover, the lowered base will be in place only for workers who are in employment relationships and not also for the self-employed. "This means unequal treatment," warned Andreja Zabret of the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ).

The law also sets down that employers will not be permitted to make any redundancies for business reasons during the period of receiving the minimum wage rise subsidy and also three months afterwards.

The package expands the groups eligible for a one-off allowance to include secondary schools students aged 18 or more (EUR 50) and university students studying abroad (EUR 150), as well as some disabled workers and war veterans (EUR 150). Those who became unemployed after 12 March 2020 will also receive EUR 150.

The crisis bonus, worth EUR 200, will be paid out to employees who did not get it with their December pay because they received a performance bonus.

During the discussion, the opposition was again critical of what it saw as "cuckoos" inserted in the package, referring to measures that do not mitigate the ramifications caused by Covid-19, according to opposition MPs.

They pointed to a fine for legal persons who would act in violation of programmes for preventing, containing and rooting out infectious diseases or programmes that are related to the vaccine rollout.

Mojca Žnidaršič of the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) said that this would enable sanctioning violations regarding vaccine distribution, such as vaccine queue-jumping, whereas Dejan Židan of the SD raised the possibility the measure would be challenged with a constitutional review.

The labour minister meanwhile highlighted measures that aim to help the elderly. Those who have recovered from Covid-19 and need more hospital treatment after the illness and those who cannot be discharged home will be eligible to prolonged treatment and care, including physical and work therapy.

The Red Cross and Slovenian Caritas will also receive additional funds, whereas religious workers will get their social security contributions temporarily covered by the state.

The short-time work scheme could be used also by farmers who employ workers. Aid provided to passenger transport services has also been extended.

A provision setting down that all employers could use up to three days of medical leave without contacting their GP has been extended until the end of 2021. The measure was introduced by the fifth stimulus package, passed in October 2020.

An amendment sponsored by the Left to temporary remove a provision saying that the government must okay the call for applications to enrol in university courses has been scrapped. "I hope that is not the beginning of the end of public education," said Lidija Divjak Mirnik of the LMŠ.

A total of 51 MPs from the ranks of the SDS, New Slovenia (NSi), Modern Centre Party (SMC), Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), National Party (SNS) and two minority MPs endorsed the package, whereas the Left and one MP of each the LMŠ and SD were against it. The rest of the opposition MPs abstained.

During the discussion, the opposition said that the measures were too little too late, ineffective and did not include all the vulnerable groups. Moreover, dialogue with social partners has been non-existent, warned the opposition.

Meanwhile, the coalition said the measures had been upgraded and would continue to significantly mitigate the impact of the epidemic.

"The eight coronavirus package is urgent and effective," Matej Lahovnik, the economist heading the taskforce preparing the mitigation measures, said at Tuesday's government briefing.

He noted that the government would shoulder the cost of two-thirds of the minimum wage rise for the first six months of the year.

"The minimum wage law is bad, but it's been passed and is valid," he said, adding the subsidy was the most the government could do for employers with respect to the matter in the given moment.

He also suggested it was now time to start thinking about an exit strategy. "Our view is that the second half of the year will be marked by a strong recovery. The epidemiological situation will definitely get much better as early as spring, which will allow a reopening of the services," he said.

"The money will then start circulating again, which will bring about a revival of the activities that have been closed the longest," he added.

He believes government departments should draw up targeted public calls for applications to revive economic activities, which should allow for an efficient recovery. He mentioned a couple of already prepared or emerging boost schemes by the state-run export and development bank SID and the SPIRIT investment agency.

03 Feb 2021, 12:58 PM

STA, 2 February 2021 - Slovenia's biggest festival, Kurentovanje, which draws large crowds to the medieval town of Ptuj every year, will only take place online this year. It seems that Kurents, one of the most iconic Shrovetide costumes in the country, are not scary enough to drive away the coronavirus epidemic like they do with winter every year.

Starting today, the festival will run until 16 February and will feature online events focusing on the history of the event and the tradition, as well as highlights of the previous editions.

Talking to the press last week, Ptuj Mayor Nuška Gajšek expressed belief that neither the locals nor other fans of the carnival will forget the tradition. Instead, they will have an even greater appreciation for it, she believes.

Among other things, the festival will feature competitions for best doughnut, which are traditionally eaten around Shrovetide. On Shrove Sunday, usually when the main parade was held in Ptuj, fun ethnographic events will be taking place online, while on Shrove Tuesday comedian Tadej Toš, a native from Ptuj, will bring the festival to an end.

A new brand of wine, Kurent's Mistik will also be launched and an interactive online game, Kurent's Symphony, will be released next week.

Like every year, the postal operator Pošta Slovenije will launch a carnival stamp, while local media have been invited to feature tradition-related content in the period before Lent.

02 Feb 2021, 15:31 PM

STA, 1 February - After a very rough year that saw the coronavirus pandemic halve tourist arrivals, Slovenia's tourism sector is in for another demanding year in 2021. However, the country holds the title the European Region of Gastronomy this year, bringing hope that the sector will once again be able to open.

This year, the Slovenian Tourism Board (STO) included restaurateurs in its scheme with the sign Slovenia Green Cuisine.

Being the European Region of Gastronomy, Slovenia has great potential due to its quality local ingredients, tradition and creativity, an online press conference on Monday heard.

But in 2020, Slovenia's tourism sector found itself at the same level as it was 10 years ago, Maja Pak, the director of the STO said.

Recovery will take a long time, she said, estimating that the figures recorded in 2019 could be reached only around 2024.

The situation is not expected to improve much this year, albeit more foreign guests are expected, whereas their numbers plummeted in 2020, while the number of domestic guests increased by about 20% over 2019.

Data by the European Travel Commission show that Slovenia and Denmark were the only two European destinations that recorded an increase in the overnight stays of domestic guests in 2020.

Vaccination inspires hope for the future, however it is still key that tourism businesses survive until guests return, said Simon Zajc, state secretary at the Economy Ministry.

"True recovery will only be possible when international transport is relaunched and restrictive measures are lifted both in Slovenia and abroad," he added.

He believes that the mitigation measures by the government aimed at helping companies survive had gone a long way in helping to preserve jobs in the sector. Among others, he highlighted the extension of the tourism voucher scheme.

Expressing hope that accommodation facilities will be able to open soon, he did however not wish to speculate when this could be.

02 Feb 2021, 09:28 AM

STA, 1 February 2021 - After protests calling against closure of schools in black-tiered regions were held in a number of towns this weekend, calls for reopening of schools from a several stakeholders continued on Monday.

The Headteachers' Association president Gregor Pečan intends to urge the government to reopen schools in the entire country if coronavirus testing among teachers conducted today shows no significant increase since a week ago.

In case of breakouts, the situation should be addressed locally, with individual classes going into isolation and switching to distance learning, he said.

Until 5pm today, 16,590 tests were conducted among teachers who teach in person with 229 coming back positive for a positivity rate of 1.4% - the same share as a week ago when 17,435 test were performed until 5pm and 244 returned positive, the Health Ministry told the STA.

Pečan said he believed most schools managed to provide today's mandatory testing without having to close for the day.

Currently, kindergartens and children in years one through three are back in schools in seven of Slovenia's 12 statistical regions. Schools and kindergartens in black-tiered regions are closed, providing only emergency childcare.

On Tuesday, schools reopened in nine regions, but only two days later the government decided that they close again in the Obalno-Kraška and Zasavje regions after the two regions slipped back into black tier due to an increase in coronavirus cases.

The decision was met with much disapproval and several hundred parents in the two regions, but also elsewhere, took to the streets this weekend.

Today, parents left their children's school bags in front of several schools in Zasavje and on the coast, while a school on the coast saw pupils boycotting remote lessons, public broadcaster TV Slovenija reported.

Many parents do not agree with the closure, because the bulk of the new infections in the regions that slipped back into black were detected among elderly residents of care homes.

While protests are expected this afternoon as well, director of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) Milan Krek warned that they were sources of infection. "What's more, children took part as well. If any of them is infected, everybody will be," Krek warned.

The left-leaning opposition parties believe that schools should reopen as well, with the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), the Social Democrats (SD), the Left and the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) requesting an emergency session of the parliamentary Education Committee.

They intend to use the session to exert pressure to achieve that all children return to classrooms and kindergartens, said SAB deputy group head Maša Kociper.

Luka Mesec of the Left said that the opening and closing of schools indicated a complete lack of care for children and parents. He believes that the only way for the situation to improve is to "change the government as soon as possible".

Meanwhile, the education faculties of the Ljubljana and Primorska universities called on Education Minister Simona Kustec to allow the youngest pupils back into the classrooms.

01 Feb 2021, 11:59 AM

STA, 1 February 2021 - Slovenia will receive the first batch of the newly approved AstraZeneca vaccine, amounting to 15,000 doses, either at the end of this week or the beginning of the next, the STA has learnt from the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ).

Today, Slovenia expects to receive some 17,500 doses of the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine. The vaccine will be used for second shots, while vaccination of the elderly who have not yet received a jab will continue next week.

In the past days, the most recent Moderna vaccine shipment of 2,400 doses arrived in Slovenia and the next batch, amounting to 4,800 doses, is expected on Friday.

Three more batches of the Pfizer/BionTech are expected in the next three weeks. 17,500 doses are to arrive on 9 February, 21,060 doses on 15 February and 22,300 doses on 22 February, the NIJZ said.

Meanwhile, the supply of AstraZeneca vaccine in the future remains unclear. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday after talks with the company that AstraZeneca is to deliver 40 million doses to the EU by the end of the first quarter of the year.

NIJZ data show that 52,942 people in Slovenia have received their first jab, while 23,035 have already had two shots.

31 Jan 2021, 16:35 PM

STA, 31 January 2021 - Several hundred people gathered in Koper to protest against closure of schools on Sunday after the Obalno-Kraška and Zasavje regions slipped back into black tier last week. The government decided schools should return to remote teaching and kindergartens close on Monday after pupils in grades one to three were allowed back for only four days last week.

The protest was initiated on social media and drew parents, as well as children and other protesters, carrying banners saying "Schools must remain open", "Enough! Zoom is cancelled!" and "Open kindergartens, shut down government!".

"Gremo v solo" vzklika Koper. #protest

Posted by Tatjana Tanackovic on Sunday, 31 January 2021

"This is not an uprising, this is not a revolution. This is a fight for the basic rights of all of us, but especially our children. We're here today to say no to additional destruction of our children's future," one of the parents said.

The protest in Koper comes a day after some 200 people protested the closure of schools in Trbovlje. Moreover, posts on social media suggest that today and tomorrow parents will be protesting in other parts of the country as well.

Prime Minister Janez Janša responded to the Trbovlje protest in a tweet this morning, labelling it "irrational and dangerous exploitation of children for political purposes in a time of epidemic."

"The rally is also illegal. It is such irresponsible behaviour that worsens the situation in individual regions," Janša added, also retweeting a tweet saying that the organiser of the Trbovlje protest ran for the opposition Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) in the 2018 local election.

In nine of Slovenia's 12 administrative units, kindergartners and pupils in first three grades of primary school were allowed to return on Tuesday, after more than three months.

But on Thursday, the government decided to once again close the schools in Zasavje and Obalno-Kraška regions following an increase in coronavirus cases that pushed the regions back into tier black.

29 Jan 2021, 14:29 PM

STA, 29 January 2021 - Slovenia recorded slightly over three million arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists in 2020, down by almost 51% on 2019, as a surge in domestic tourism failed to offset the collapse in foreign tourist arrivals, show data released by the Statistics Office on Friday.

Slovenian tourist accommodation facilities saw a 21% increase in domestic arrivals at the annual level with their overnight stays rising by 33%.

The arrivals of foreign tourists were down by 74%, whereas the overnight stays by them dropped by 71% on 2019.

Out of the foreign overnight tourists most came from Germany (almost 25%), followed by Austrians and Italians (11% each), Croatians (7%), Hungarians and the Dutch (each 5%).

The arrivals of both foreign and domestic tourists were down by 97% year-on-year in December, to just 9,300, and overnight stays plunged by 91%, as the lockdown shut down virtually the entire tourism sector.

Foreign tourists that spent the most nights in Slovenia in December came from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia.

More on this data

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