Ljubljana related
STA, 12 May 2020 - The Chamber of Small Business (Obrtno-podjetniška zbornica Slovenije - OZS) has drafted a set of proposals it wants included in the third coronavirus package of measures the government will start working on more intensively next week.
The OZS would like more liquidity aid for small companies and sole proprietors, and a lower VAT for services in tourism and some other lines of small business.
It would also like a solution to rent payment when a private business rents a place from a private owner after the government has recently helped those renting from the state.
The OZS would moreover like the government to ease layoff conditions, and introduce measures to kick-start the construction sector.
The third package of measures is to focus on tourism as the most severely affected industry. But the OZS believes some other industries should also be helped, such as coach transport, hospitality, tourist guides, event management, spas and wellness centres, as they have also been severely affected.
OZS president Branko Meh believes small and medium-sized companies are the backbone of the Slovenian economy, which is why it is so important to help them in time with the right measures.
"It is now time to include in the third anti-coronavirus package what we missed in the first two packages," he was quoted in Tuesday's press release.
All our stories on coronavirus are here, while those covering covid-19 and Croatia are here. We'll have an update at the end of the day, and if you want newsflashes then we'll post those on Facebook
We can’t have pictures of COVID-19 every day. So instead we’ll try and show the works of Slovenian artists. Today it’s Aleksander Sandi. You can see more of his work here.
Only one person tests positive on Monday, no new deaths
If positive trends continue, return to normal life to accelerate
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Only one person tests positive on Monday, no new deaths
STA, 12 May 2020 - A total of 1,182 tests for Covid-19 were performed in Slovenia on Monday, resulting in only one positive test to bring the total number of infections to 1,461. No deaths were recorded, with the death toll remaining at 102.
A total of 40 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were in Slovenian hospitals yesterday, nine of whom were in intensive care, show the figures released by the government on Tuesday.
A total of 64,547 tests for Covid-19 have so far been carried out in Slovenia.
If positive trends continue, return to normal life to accelerate
STA, 12 May 2020 - Should the favourable trends regarding the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia continue until the end of the week after some measures were relaxed after the May Day holidays, the authorities believe it will be possible to make even bolder decisions to further normalise life in the country.
Bojana Beović, the head of the Health Ministry's advisory task force for the coronavirus, told the press on Tuesday she was optimistic about the prospects of life in Slovenia getting back to normal in almost all fields.
She noted that the epidemic was slowing down, as no more than ten new infections on a daily basis had been recorded since 30 April. This is a growth of less than 1%, and every infected person infects less than one new patient on average.
According to Beović, this relatively small share of infected persons in the entire population is a result of timely and effective measures to stem the epidemic and the very diligent work of epidemiologists on the ground, who had studied every case and contained them with quarantine measures.
She nevertheless warned about some unresolved issues related to what is expected to be an inevitable increase in the number of infections in the future, saying that the capacity of the healthcare system remained a problem, not so much in terms of equipment, but space and staff.
Beović noted that a coordinated action with other countries was needed to contain the pandemic, as the opening of national borders within the EU must be decided by consensus and initially limited to countries with a comparable level of risk.
"The risk for getting infected with the new coronavirus does not only show in the number of the infected, but also in how an individual country manages the epidemic," added the infectious disease expert.
Government spokesman Jelko Kacin said that the cabinet would discuss an exit strategy and possibilities to relax certain measures in Brdo pri Kranju later today.
He noted that the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients, including in intensive care, was gradually decreasing, and "I expect that not later than on Thursday we will have clear enough trends about to what side the scales are tipping."
Kacin added that Slovenians were interested the most in travelling to the neighbouring Croatia, but talks about how and when to open the border were still under way, including between the countries' national public health institutes.
Beović noted that people who enter Slovenia must still submit to a week-long quarantine, after which possible infection or lack thereof was confirmed with a test.
STA, 12 May 2020 - Although the ban on international air passenger transport with Slovenia was lifted today, passenger flights from Slovenia's airports are not expected before June as most air carriers have cancelled their flights until the end of May. However, Lufthansa, Swiss and Brussels Airlines have already opened bookings on June flights.
Currently, it is possible to book flights connecting Ljubljana with Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels and Zurich by the three carriers, all part of the Lufthansa group, which plans to restart at 20% of capacity as of 1 June, according to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
The business newspaper Finance says that the three airlines will probably offer one flight per day.
Serbian flag carrier Air Serbia, which will restore flights on 18 May, is also expected to start flying to Ljubljana in June, but in a limited scope at first, writes the web portal Ex-Yu Aviation.
Easyjet is also expected to gradually start flying again in June but its plan to launch a new route between Ljubljana and the Luton airport this summer has been abandoned.
Turkish Airlines, which was one of the most active foreign carriers at Ljubljana airport, will also start flying again in June and then gradually increase operations until October.
Finish Finnair and British Airways have suspended their plans for summer flights to Helsinki and Heathrow for the time being.
Ljubljana airport expects more action in July, but everything will depend on the epidemic-related developments in Europe and the economic recovery.
The airport stresses that it will take a long time before it returns to last year's passenger numbers.
The government decided last night not to extend restrictions for air travel again, allowing resumption of passenger flights from the EU and third countries to Slovenia's international airports.
In a press release, the Government Communication Office said the ban, which was imposed on 17 March, was no longer necessary or sensible because following strict safety measures in individual countries air carriers were not providing flights anyway due to a lack of demand.
Slovenia does not have an air carrier since Adria Airways went into receivership last year.
Fraport Slovenija, which operates Ljubljana airport, welcomed the decision, saying that the lifting of the ban would help airlines plan flights.
Before the epidemic, 17 carriers were expected to operate 22 routes to 15 countries in the summer.
Ljubljana Castle reopened 4 May, and another of Slovenia’s most visited sites, Bled Castle, will be welcoming visitors again from 14 May on. However, note that you’ll not be able to visit the island until 18 May.
In other news, Postojna Cave, by some counts the most popular tourist attraction in the country – since Ljubljana Castle gets multiple visits from locals each year – will not be opening until at least 1 June, although this date remains to be confirmed.
All our stories on coronavirus are here, while those covering covid-19 and Croatia are here. We'll have an update at the end of the day, and if you want newsflashes then we'll post those on Facebook
We can’t have pictures of COVID-19 every day. So instead we’ll try and show the works of Slovenian artists and artists who live in Slovenia. Today it’s Paloma Lavor.
Three new Covid-19 cases confirmed for total of 1,460, no new deaths
Government lifts ban on passenger air transport
Campsites staying closed for now
Top football league may be resumed at beginning of June
Three new Covid-19 cases confirmed for total of 1,460, no new deaths
STA, 11 May 2020 - Three new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Slovenia on Sunday as 537 people were tested, which takes the total number so far to 1,460. No deaths were recorded, meaning the death toll remains at 102, shows data released by the government on Monday.
The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals increased by one to 42, ten of whom are in intensive care.
The situation following the lifting of a number of lockdown measures, in particular last week, thus remains stable, but government representatives have noted that a clearer picture will emerge with a delay of 11 to 13 days.
Government lifts ban on passenger air transport
STA, 11 May - The government has allowed resumption of passenger flights from EU and third countries to Slovenia's international airports from Tuesday. The ban on flights from abroad to local airports remains in place until 12 June.
The government decided on Monday not to extend restrictions on international passenger air transport that were initially introduced on 17 March to help contain the spread of coronavirus.
In a press release issued after the correspondence session, the Government Communication Office said the ban no longer made sense or was necessary because air carriers were not providing flights anyway.
The release noted the many safety measures imposed by public health authorities in individual countries on air carriers and airport managers, as well as on citizens returning home or foreigners arriving in the country, such as mandatory quarantine.
"Since the measures affect international passenger flights as such and air carriers have not yet opted to provide those due to a lack of demand on the part of passengers owning to the epidemic, the ban on international flights from the EU and third countries to international public airports in Slovenia is no longer necessary or sensible," reads the release.
Slovenia's international airports are in Ljubljana, Maribor and Portorož.
Fraport Slovenija, which manages Ljubljana airport, hailed the decision, which it said would help airlines plan flights, but also noted that most of them had cancelled flights until the end of May.
In anticipation of today's decision, the airport has already put in place all the necessary measures and equipment to be able to welcome first passengers and resume operations safely.
Passengers will be required to keep a 1.5 metre distance from each other in all parts of the passenger terminal with markings on floors and seats and bands helping them stick to the rule.
Passengers and staff will also be required to sanitise their hands every time on entering the terminal. Sanitisers will also be available elsewhere across the terminal.
Passengers will have to wear masks or other mouth and nose covering inside the terminal.
Passenger numbers inside the terminal and buses will be reduced to about half the capacity with bands and signs directing passenger movements.
Only passengers and staff will be allowed inside the passenger terminal.
Temperature screenings will probably be mandatory for at least part of the passengers but the measures and protocols are still being coordinated with the National Institute of Public Health.
Airing, cleaning and disinfection of premises will be stepped up, especially careful and frequent will be disinfection of the most exposed equipment such as doorhandles, taps, switches and railings.
Measures are also being taken to protect the staff. All working stations in the check-in area and exits to aircraft have been fitted with protective glass panels.
The staff attending and assisting passengers will be required to wear disposable face masks and gloves.
Security staff checking passengers and other staff will in addition need to wear protective glasses, and firefighters helping passengers will also need to wear protective suits aside from masks, gloves and goggles.
Masks will also be obligatory for staff cleaning the aircraft cabin, loading or unloading aircraft or performing any other chores inside the aircraft.
The ban on flights from other countries to local airports remains in place until 12 June "due to the risk to the protection of public health and property as the requirements sent by the relevant public health authority are not established".
Campsites and hotels staying closed for now
STA, 11 May 2020 - Even though there have been speculations that campsites and small accommodation facilities in Slovenia will reopen shortly, as soon as on 12 May, the authorities said on Monday that the step would not be green-lit before the end of the week. Relaunching tourism will take place between 15 May and 1 June.
"It all depends on the epidemiologic situation in Slovenia and the government's decision on revising a decree on containing the novel coronavirus," the Economy Ministry told the STA today, responding to the speculation.
Accommodation facilities had to close in line with the decree on 16 March, with many going the route of prevention even before that day due to a severe drop in visitors.
The newly-established tourism expert group is currently drawing up standards and guidelines for reopening in cooperation with health experts.
Meanwhile, outdoor areas of bars and restaurants reopened on 4 May. The ministry's State Secretary Simon Zajc said at the time that giving a go-ahead to reopen accommodation facilities would follow in May, first to providers with up to 30 beds.
Provided that the epidemiologic circumstances stay promising, hotels, spas and other providers would be next in line to resume business in June, he added.
Hotels are looking at roughly a 70% drop in income at the annual level if they are able to greet their first visitors after the corona crisis on 1 June and if the border restrictions with those countries that are handling the crisis similarly as Slovenia are lifted in the same month. Campsites expect a similar slump in annual income figures.
Tourism has been one of the industries hit the most by the crisis, with the government pledging additional boost to revive the sector. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek has recently listed co-funding reduced working time, extending current stimulus measures and extra support to keep the industry afloat as part of the tourism aid package.
Top football league may be resumed at beginning of June
STA, 11 May 2020 - There is still hope for football lovers in Slovenia that the season at the top level may be resumed, as depending on the situation related to the coronavirus epidemic, the premier league may be continued at the beginning of June.
Also decided by the executive committee of the Slovenian Football Association (NZS) at Monday's correspondence session is that the second league for men and the first league for women have ended.
To be promoted from the second league are the clubs which held the first place in the standings when football competitions were suspended due to the epidemic, which is the football club Koper.
The second placed team in the second league, Gorica, will play in the play-offs with the club which finishes ninth in the premier league.
The NZS said in a press release that, if the state authorities allowed competitions at the highest level to resume, the premier league would continue at the beginning of June.
The national championship was halted in mid-March, after 25 out of the 36 scheduled matches played. Olimpija Ljubljana leads the standings with 50 points, ahead of Celje and Aluminij (45 each). The defending champions Maribor are fourth at 43 points.
If the premier league resumes, so will the national cup competition, but under a changed format, with only one semi-final and only one final match played. The matches would be played at a neutral location without spectators.
"The proposed decision follows the guideline of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) that competitions at the highest level be concluded on the pitch, if possible," the NZS said.
The women's premier league has meanwhile ended without the official champion declared. Decision on which club will represent Slovenia in European competitions in the next season will be based on past results.
Yesterday it was announced that Slovenians who own property in Croatia, as some 100,000 do, will be able to enter the country without a 14-day quarantine period. But what does that mean for you?
Joe Orovic, of Total Croatia News, dug into the facts and found out the following.
First up, rather than “Slovenians” alone this applies to all EU residents, although “foreigners hoping to enter Croatia must provide proof they either: own real estate or a vessel in Croatia; are attending a funeral; or have been invited to the country by some business entity to conduct economic activity.”
But what if you book a room in a hotel and the hotel invites you stay for some economic activity? Well, that remains unclear, although the Croatian Interior Minister, Davor Božinović, did say that the Border Administration has created a special email address where non-Croats can ask if they meet the conditions for entry into the country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
There’s further confusion as to what you can actually do in Croatia, with Božinović saying that people should stay in their accommodation as much as possible.
What’s more, at present those entering Slovenia are supposed to self-isolate for seven days, although there are claims Slovenia is considering dropping this requirement for those who leave the country for no more than 72 hours.
In short, if you must go to Croatia then send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and state your case, but otherwise we recommend using any vacation or wanderlust you have to explore Slovenia, revisit old favourites, and spend some money in local restaurants and bars.
STA, 11 May 2020 - A week before kindergartens and schools are set to open again after more than two months of the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia, a number of questions about logistics, the well-being of children and staff remain open.
On Friday, the Education Ministry issued guidelines encouraging parents to keep kindergarten children at home, if possible. Most students will stay home in any case as schools reopen on Monday.
The final decision is yet to be made. The government is to give the final go-ahead or stop the process in the second half of this week.
The Education Ministry and the National Institute for Public Health (NIJZ) held a press conference on Monday to provide some of the answers.
State secretary Damir Orehovec said the changes will demand a lot of knowledge and organisational skills. "But I am certain that they will do everything in their power for the benefit of children and youths."
However, the Association of Kindergartens and the teachers' trade union SVIZ have reservations about whether this is the right course of action or even feasible in the first place.
Janja Bogataj, the head of the Association of Kindergartens, is worried about how kindergartens will be able to follow NIJZ instructions, which, among other things, stipulate that groups, now numbered between 16 and 20, will be limited to only 8 or 10 children depending on age.
One of the main questions - whether parents who keep their children home will still receive a kindergarten bill - was clarified today when Orehovec said that there will be no bills until the end of May for those who keep their kids home.
Bogataj told the STA over the weekend that not having to pay would encourage parents to keep children home and make it easier for kindergartens to organise.
Branimir Štrukelj of the teachers' trade union told the STA over the weekend that initial feedback from parents in Ljubljana indicated that about 60% of children would return to kindergarten.
Another issue is space, as many kindergartens in Slovenia are overcrowded as it is. In many cases, nearby schools will help by providing room in empty classrooms, even though this is not seen as an optimal solution.
One more key problem is that kindergarten head teachers do not yet know how many members of their staff will be able to return to work, as teachers and other staff with chronic illness are advised against coming to work.
It will be up to occupational medicine experts to deem staff able or unable to work. Štrukelj doubts it is feasible for all the at-risk staff to be examined in a week's time.
Moreover, he says that work in kindergartens, as set out by NIJZ and the government, is not feasible "with the existing staff".
Bogataj and Štrukelj share the view that the return to kindergarten will be very stressful for children. Not only have they not been to kindergarten for two months, they will have to say goodbye to their parents at the door, where they will be received by a member of the staff wearing a mask.
Štrukelj believes that the rule about the same teacher staying with the same group at all times will inevitably have to be broken because abiding by it would mean 11-hour work days for teachers in some kindergartens.
Bogataj echoed the position that rules are too strict on kindergarten kids. "I believe that we will not be waiting for kids in front of kindergartens at 5am and I believe that in case of stress, parents will be able to enter the building and say goodbye so as to avoid worsening the stress the kids are under."
Polonca Truden Dobrin of NIJZ said that children within an individual group and their teacher will be able to "communicate just like at home", meaning they will not have to wear a mask and observe social distancing rules, as children's need for physical comfort and the feeling of safety must not be neglected.
In schools as well the number of students in a classroom will be limited to between 10 and 15. Moreover, only a portion of students will return, others will continue with home schooling.
In primary school, only students of first, second and third grades, and students of the final grade, will return to classrooms. In secondary school, only final-year students will return.
In music schools, only individual sessions will be taught in person, while group sessions will remain online.
The fact that most teachers will be teaching in school, as well as online, and the additional workload this creates, is one of the main concerns of SVIZ, with Štrukelj expressing doubt that this is even possible. Teachers wonder whether they will be fairly compensated.
Štrukelj has said that teachers teaching individual subjects are not adequately trained to teach other subjects. Just like in kindergartens, it is unclear as yet how many teachers will return to work.
Štrukelj reiterated that the trade union was reserved about reopening of schools and kindergartens at this stage, and expects the NIJZ and the Education Ministry to take full responsibility for the process. "We will do everything that is in our power, but we are no miracle workers.
Another problem was highlighted by Srečko Šestan, the head of the Civil Protection Authority, which has been handing out masks to schools and kindergartens. Šestan said that Slovenia might run out of protective equipment unless it continues to replenish its stock.
Face masks will be mandatory for teachers and all other kindergarten and school staff. They will also be mandatory for secondary schools students at all times, while ninth-graders will have to wear them outside the classroom. The students of the first three grades will not have to wear them.
All our stories on coronavirus and Slovenia are here
STA, 11 May 2020 - Public transport started running in Slovenia again after nearly two months on Monday. The relaunch will be gradual and restrictive measure have been put in place to ensure social distancing is observed.
Passengers have to disinfect their hands upon entry, wear a face mask and keep a safety distance of at least 1.5 metres to each other.
Buses are outfitted with special barriers for drivers and unless these are in place, passengers are not able to enter through the front door.
In Ljubljana, they are entering through the second door, where they are provided with a hand sanitiser dispenser. Tickets are validated at the validation port near the second door, and only by those with single-ride cards.
Bus passengers are not able to buy tickets on the bus. Ticket purchase are possible at bigger stops and stations, online and at ticket machines. The same is also advised by railways operator Slovenske Železnice.
The enforcement of the rules could prove a challenge, with Slovenske Železnice saying their staff will only be able to warn passengers that they need to wear masks, while only police have the power to take action.
The director of Ljubljana's public bus transport provider LPP Peter Horvat announced a more radical approach, saying drivers were instructed not to continue driving if they notice a passenger entering without a mask.
"The driver will notify the police or health inspectorate, let the other passengers off the bus and take the vehicle to the garage for disinfection, while we will sent a replacement bus," Horvat told the daily paper Dnevnik.
About every other seat on train is off limits, so as to ensure social distancing, Slovenske Železnice said on Friday, while a similar arrangement has been secured for buses.
At their last stop, the buses and trains will have to be aired out and disinfected.
Most public transport operators are planning a gradual restart, with Slovenske Železnice planning to dispatch only 30% of their coaches today.
International passenger transport remains suspended. Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec has previously mentioned 1 June as a possible date of relaunch.
Vrtovec told the TV Slovenija news show Dnevnik last night that passenger air transport may also be relaunched this week.
The minister symbolically reopened public transport today by taking the Domžale-Ljubljana train in the company of Slovenske Železnice director general Dušan Mes.
Mes said everything was running smoothly and that passenger numbers were modest so far in line with expectations. He said supplementary bus transport was planned if the number of passengers rises too quickly.
"Public transport is the backbone of our transport system, which is why I'm happy to see this day finally arriving. I want to thank the passengers for eight weeks of patience," Vrtovec told the press.
Very modest numbers are also reported by LPP, with Horvat citing for TV Slovenija a driver as telling him the atmosphere in the morning had been like at 4am on New Year's Day.
Horvat, who said he was in a way happy people remained careful, announced the number of active buses would be stepped up according to needs. A special challenge will be the gradual return of school children, who account for around 60% of LPP passengers.
All our stories on coronavirus and Slovenia are here
Slovenia is slowly easing the coronavirus lockdown, with bar, café and restaurant terraces already back in business, along with smaller stores, public transport and Ljubljana Castle. More specifically, the building that’s watched over the city for centuries – and competes with Postojna Caves as the most visited attraction in the country – is now open every day from 10:00 to 18.00, including the exhibitions and Viewing Tower, plus the terrace of the Castle Café and Castle Wine Bar & Shop – although the latter are closed when it’s raining, as it is this morning in the capital.
Related: 25 Things to Know about Ljubljana Castle
There are also some restrictions to note under the current conditions at what. For one, the funicular isn’t yet working, so you’ll need to walk or drive up. For another, you’ll need a mask when entering enclosed spaces, such as the exhibitions, Viewing Tower or bathrooms. Finally, there are hand sanitizers everywhere that visitors are encouraged to use, plus further instructions and safety protocols at every checkpoint.
More details on the situation as it evolves in the days and weeks ahead can be found on the Castle’s website.
STA, 10 May 2020 - Slovenians with real estate or boats in Croatia are able to enter the country again without having to go into quarantine for two weeks after about two months of restrictions imposed in order limit the spread of coronavirus. Upon return to Slovenia, they are, however, still required to go into quarantine for seven days.
Croatia said on Saturday that EU citizens would be allowed to enter the country for business and urgent personal matters. Some 110,000 Slovenians have property in Croatia, mostly holiday homes and boats.
To cross into Croatia freely, EU citizens must show a property deed at the border, tell the border police where they will be staying and how long, as well as provide a telephone number.
They are no longer obligated to go into 14-day quarantine but they do have to limit their contact with other to a minimum for two weeks and observe social distancing rules.
They will also have to take their temperature every day and report to the nearest epidemiologist if the temperature exceeds 37.2C or if they show Covid-19 symptoms.
However, Slovenia's rules for entry remain unchanged, even though Slovenia's and Croatia's ministers in charge tourism have agreed on reciprocal measures.
The Slovenian police told the STA on Sunday that the rules remained unchanged in Slovenia and that those entering must undergo a 7-day quarantine. It added that the Health Ministry was responsible for changing the rules.
There are exceptions to this rule, under which normal crossing of the border is allowed for daily commuters, farmers in fields on the other side of Slovenia's national borders, cargo traffic and transit traffic.
