Slovenia Declares End of Epidemic

The Slovenian government has declared the end of the coronavirus epidemic that was announced on March 12, and media outlets on Friday described this decision as  "surprising" given that Prime Minister Janez Janša had announced in parliament on Thursday that the end of the epidemic would only be declared at the end of May and that some restrictive measures would be lifted.

"The current epidemiological situation allows for the easing of some  m measures that have so far been necessary for controlling the spread of COVID-19, but not for their complete abolition," the government stated in a press release following last night’s correspondence session, which declared the end of the epidemic and the future regime for entry and transit through Slovenia. Slovenian media call the decision "surprising" given that Prime Minister Janša had announced in parliament on Thursday the revocation of the epidemic and the cessation of some restrictions by the end of May. They note that no other European country has declared the end of the COVID-19 epidemic so far, and some Slovenian experts believe that the epidemic has not been revoked in a "medical" sense.

According to last night’s government decision on "measures at border crossings on the external border and control points at internal (Schengen) borders of Slovenia," individuals entering Slovenia who are its residents or have permanent or temporary residence in any EU country, and have not left the EU space for more than 14 days, will only receive warnings about epidemiological measures against the spread of the coronavirus at the border, unless they themselves declare that they have COVID-19 or show pronounced symptoms of the disease. Slovenian radio reports that last night’s government decision still maintains measures of social distancing, hand hygiene, wearing masks in enclosed spaces, and the ban on large public gatherings remains in effect.

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The same source reports this morning that the government rushed to declare the end of the epidemic because otherwise, if it had not done so, the crisis intervention law on subsidies to the economy and citizens during the epidemic would automatically have to be extended until the end of next month, which would require several billion euros in additional aid funds.
For Slovenians wishing to travel to Croatia, the new government decision allows for freer travel as they will no longer have to undergo a 7-day isolation upon return, Slovenian media reported this morning.

Prime Minister Janša stated in parliament on Thursday that Slovenia is the most successful country in the EU in dealing with the epidemic, that the epidemiological picture is very favorable given the very small number of new COVID-19 cases, and that the government will focus on economic issues and recovery after the corona crisis to avoid economic depression.

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