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This summary is provided by the STA:
Stricter measures to fight coronavirus in effect
LJUBLJANA - Strict new measures to contain the coronavirus epidemic entered into force with movement additionally restricted and shopping rules tightened to protect the most vulnerable groups. From today Slovenians are confined to their home municipality for most daily activities except to go to work, do farm work, provide assistance to persons in need of care, and access emergency services, pharmacies, diplomatic missions and judicial authorities. Face masks are now mandatory in closed public spaces.
Number of coronavirus cases up by 26, no new deaths
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's tally of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 26 on Sunday to 756, but there have been no new deaths, so the death toll remains at 11. Health Minister Tomaž Gantar told reporters 115 Covid-19 patients were currently in hospital, 28 of them in intensive treatment units. As many as 108 of those who tested positive are heath workers, 24 of them at care homes. By Sunday midnight, 21,349 tests had been conducted. Gantar acknowledged the curve of infections had flattened, but said these were result of the strict measures imposed and should not lull anyone to sleep.
Staff reinforcements and protective equipment urged for nursing homes
LJUBLJANA - Two associations specialising in elderly care urged the government to provide sufficient staff and protective equipment in Slovenian nursing homes, some of which have become coronavirus hotspots. The Srebrna Nit association campaigning for dignified old age asked the government and the Human Rights Ombudsman to activate competent volunteers and notably all precious experts who have been relegated to their homes with the closure of spas, private health institutions etc.
Companies donating medical equipment to Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - The corporate sector is jumping in to help Slovenian authorities fight the coronavirus epidemic, with the United Group, the owner of the Slovenian telecommunications operator Telemach, donating seven artificial ventilation devices and 150,000 protective face masks worth half a million euro in medical equipment, and the company Acron providing in 60,000 face masks of the protective class FFP3.
New stimulus package in parliament on Wednesday
LJUBLJANA - Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič announced that the new stimulus package, adopted by the government on Sunday to mitigate the impact of coronavirus, will be discussed and voted on in the National Assembly on Wednesday. The EUR 3 billion package supporting companies, self-employed, pensioners and other vulnerable groups will be fast tracked in parliament. The legal service of the National Assembly meanwhile highlighted a number of shortcomings in as many as two-thirds of the bill's 111 articles. The opposition parties mostly voiced support for the government-proposed new legislative package addressing the coronavirus crisis, the left-leaning ones have however expressed criticism of provisions giving police sweeping powers to control the movement of individuals.
Information watchdog, ombudsman say govt proposal entails Slovenia becoming police state
LJUBLJANA - The Information Commissioner and the Human Rights Ombudsman warned against giving police sweeping powers to control the movement of individuals as the government tries to contain the coronavirus epidemic. Both institutions say two articles from the new umbrella bill violate basic constitutional rights. Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said the changes were "intended to merely prevent unauthorised and incomprehensible movements of infected persons who should be in quarantine but are freely walking around".
Unions, businesses welcome mega stimulus bill, expect more from another
LJUBLJANA - Trade unions and businesses welcomed the EUR 3 billion bill to help the economy and society cope with the coronavirus crisis as a step in the right direction meant to avert massive layoffs. However, the unions say certain groups have been left out and criticise the government for ignoring social dialogue in adopting it. Some systemic measures are poorly worded and should be more concrete, ZSSS trade union confederation boss Lidija Jerkič said.
Slovenians in other EU countries asked to stay put if possible
LJUBLJANA - Indicating a gradual winding down of efforts to repatriate Slovenians located abroad amid the coronavirus crisis, Foreign Minister Anže Logar called on Slovenians living in other EU countries in manageable conditions to stay there. Slovenia has called on other countries to extend visa and work permits to Slovenians, while residence permits for foreigners in Slovenia are being extended. More than 360 Slovenian and 300 foreign nationals have been airlifted to Slovenia, and 120 more brought back by buses. Between 800 and 1,000 returned individually with the assistance of the diplomatic network.
Minister Vrtovec urges stepping up of infrastructure projects
LJUBLJANA - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec argued for a stepping up of ongoing and planned infrastructure investments in Slovenia, pointing to the economic benefits and the fact the empty streets allowed work to be executed fast. "This is a great opportunity to speed up work and to work without traffic congestions," said Vrtovec, who agrees with the importance of containment measures but also sees a chance to boost ongoing infrastructure projects.
Sentences suspended for 68 prisoners, 15 released early
LJUBLJANA - Justice Minister Lilijana Kozlovič announced that prison sentences had been suspended for 68 persons and an additional 15 prisoners have been released early under the measures in administrative matters to contain the coronavirus epidemic. All of them have passed security checks. The law allowing a one-month suspension of a prison sentence and an early release of prisoners up to six months before the end of their sentence entered into force on Sunday.
Business sentiment, consumer confidence dive
LJUBLJANA - Business sentiment and consumer confidence in Slovenia plummeted in March amid the concerns fuelled by the coronavirus epidemic. Statistics Office data show the business sentiment index dropping to -3.7 percentage points, down 8.8 points from February and down 12.5 points year-on-year. The index had not been in the negative territory since August 2014. Consumer confidence sunk to the lowest since May 2016, having declined 3 points from February and 11 points since March 2019.
Housing prices up another 5.2% in 2019
LJUBLJANA - Housing prices rose by 5.2% in 2019, the fifth consecutive year of growth. Data released by the Statistics Office show the number of real estate transactions going up 4%, mostly on account of used flats, while the value of the deals amounted to EUR 1.3 billion, an increase of roughly 6% on 2018. The sale of new units had been modest for two years, but the sale of used units was going strong, with 3,458 transactions worth a record total EUR 340 million in the last quarter of 2019.
New Slovenian Philharmonic acting head appointed
LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti appointed Matej Šarc as interim director of the Slovenian Philharmonic. Šarc will take over on 2 April and will preside over one of Slovenia's central cultural institutions until the appointment of the new full-fledged director or for a maximum period of a year.
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