16 Apr 2021, 15:28 PM

Up to 100 People Allowed to Meet, Indoors & Out, from Monday

STA, 16 April - Gatherings of up to 100 people indoors or outdoors will be permitted under a government decree adopted on Friday in response to a Constitutional Court decision staying the blanket ban on public assembly.

Indoor up to 100 people will be able to gather, assuming there is at least 30 square metres of space per person or per members of one household. Masks will be mandatory.

Outdoors, one person per 10 square metres will be allowed to gather and a distance of 1.5 metres between persons must be observed, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs announced on Friday.

The decree is expected to be published in the Official Gazette tonight and will enter into force on Monday.

Hojs however stressed that any gatherings must be registered with the authorities under the law, but special permission from the National Institute of Public Health (NIHZ) would not be necessary.

The minister also said the Constitutional Court would now be held responsible, having apparently decided that the right to public assembly takes precedence over public health.

As for the previous public assembly rules, Hojs said the government's desire had been to reduce the number of contacts, infections and deaths, and reduce pressure on hospitals, leaning on expert studies that showed such a measure was effective at preventing transmission.

In staying the government decree yesterday, the court held the new regulation had to take into account not only the human rights aspect but also the fact that gatherings are an important means of expressing political positions.

According to the court, the government should weigh between potentially harmful consequences of gatherings and their constitutional importance, whereby it has a variety of tools at its disposal to strike a balance.

Hojs said the government had considered rulings by the French and German constitutional courts in setting the 100-person ceiling, though he was quick to point out that those rulings were made at a time when the prevalence of coronavirus in the respective countries was mush lower than it currently is in Slovenia.

Next week, the government will also examine how to regulate other types of assembly, such as weddings. As Hojs said, there is no reason why there should be differences between different types of events.

All our stories on coronavirus and Slovenia

16 Apr 2021, 12:54 PM

NBI Investigators Visit Slovenian Press Agency’s Chief Supervisor

STA, 16 April 2021 - The head of the supervisory board of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), Mladen Terčelj, has confirmed for the STA he was visited by investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday. He said he had not yet talked to the investigators and stressed he had great confidence in the rule of law and the NBI.

The police told the newspaper Dnevnik the NBI was leading a pretrial procedure based on a reported criminal offence but would not reveal any more detail because of ongoing procedure.

The General Police Administration confirmed for the paper that the investigation was thus not based merely on a government decree adopted in March.

Last month, the government proposed the supervisory board to dismiss STA director Bojan Veselinovič and tasked the Interior Ministry to examine whether the alleged violations contained elements of suspected criminal acts prosecutable ex officio and to act accordingly.

The government also called on the labour inspectorate to examine the agency and review its operations. A few days later inspectors paid a visit to the STA.

Veselinovič told the government on Monday he was granting the government access to all books of account and documents, even though the STA had never received a formal request to that effect. He said the government should say, in writing, who would access the documents on its behalf and in what way.

He noted that on Saturday 100 days had passed since the STA got paid for its public services in 2021.

16 Apr 2021, 12:28 PM

Vaccination of Matura Students Starts Next Friday

STA, 16 April 2021 - Final-year secondary school pupils will have a chance to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as early as next Friday ahead of the school-leaving examinations due to begin in May under an upgraded national vaccination strategy adopted by the government on Thursday.

The upgraded strategy, presented by Health Ministry official Vesna Kerstin Petrič at Friday's press briefing, placed matura students and staff involved in the examinations that has not yet been vaccinated among priority groups, along with over 60-year-olds and people with chronic conditions.

Kerstin Petrič said that parents of particularly vulnerable chronically ill children have also been listed among the priority groups in the latest change to Slovenia's vaccination strategy.

"We want the pupils to prepare for the maturity examination in the most relaxed way possible and that they sit for it in a safe environment," she said in explaining the rationale behind the latest change in strategy, although she admitted it came a bit late.

Noting that vaccination is voluntary, the official urged pupils wishing to get a jab to apply today or by noon on Monday at the vaccination centre of the community health care of their permanent residence.

Pupils aged 18 and over will be inoculated with the AstraZeneca jab and those under 18 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

About 17,000 final-year secondary school pupils are to sit for the matura examinations, which are due to start with a Slovenian essay on 4 May. There have been some indications the test might be postponed, but Kerstin Petrič said she was not in a position to speak about the examinations.

Mateja Logar, the head of the Covid-19 advisory team, confirmed for TV Slovenija yesterday the group had proposed moving the essay exam to the end of May to allow pupils to develop immunity against Covid-19 after vaccination. However, the Education Ministry said matura would proceed as planned.

Bojana Beović, the head of the national advisory committee on immunisation, said the body had not been acquainted with the idea to vaccinate matura students and that it was a political decision.

16 Apr 2021, 11:34 AM

Coronavirus Numbers Keep Falling in Slovenia

STA, 16 April 2021 - Slovenia recorded 860 coronavirus cases for Thursday, as the daily case count dropped significantly for the second straight day compared with the same day a week ago. As a result, the rolling 7-day average of new cases fell to 871 from 931 the day before, fresh data from the government show.

Five Covid-19 fatalities were reported for Thursday, and hospitalisations rose by 15 to 639 this morning despite 50 patients being discharged yesterday. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) cases rose by two to 152.

Slovenia's largest hospital, UKC Ljubljana is treating 177 Covid-19 patients, half fewer than at the peak of the second wave in November, while the number of ICU patients, at 51, is nearing the peak seen late last year, the hospital tweeted.

A total of 4,253 PCR tests were performed yesterday, of which 20.2% returned positive results, and 24,220 rapid antigen tests.

The cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents dropped by a further 15 to 601 and the 7-day incidence dropped to 290 from 310 the day before.

Data released by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) shows an estimated 12,685 of active cases in the country, out of a total of 230,828 confirmed since the start of the pandemic.

The most recent death toll was released by NIJZ on Monday, showing that 4,411 people had died within 28 days of testing positive by Sunday. The government has reported 21 more fatalities since.

According to NIJZ, 360,450 people have received their first dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 and 136,582 have received two, which means that 6.5% of the population has been fully immunised.

What do these numbers mean for things re-opening? Find out here…

16 Apr 2021, 04:47 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 16 April, 2021

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Military investment act cleared by Constitutional Court

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has cleared an act securing EUR 780 million in investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) until 2026 as well as parliament's decision not to allow a referendum on the act sought by the centre-left opposition. In a decision passed by five votes to four, the court found the National Assembly and the government have reasonably grounded the urgency of the investments and that the decision not to allow the referendum was justified. Defence Minister Matej Tonin welcomed the court's decision as being in the interest of the state. The Left said it respected the decision but planned to keep a close eye on military procurement.

Constitutional Court stays ban on public gatherings

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has stayed the implementation of a government decree that temporarily bans public gatherings and events arguing that a new decree should be adopted with due consideration of the right to gatherings being a fundamental human right. It said any new ban must take into account not only the human rights aspect but also the fact that gatherings are an important means of expressing political positions. The stay does not enter into force until 18 April, when the current decree expires.

Coalition closing ranks to implement key projects

BRDO PRI KRANJU - The coalition closed ranks at a meeting of coalition leaders and a representative of the opposition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS). Despite holding only 38 seats in the 90-member National Assembly, it is optimistic that it will finish its term and carry out its priority projects. New Slovenia (NSi) said the coalition would implement its key projects, including the demographic fund, long-term care act, debureaucratisation, tax reform and digital strategy.

Portal releases non-paper on changes to W Balkan borders

LJUBLJANA - The online portal Necenzurirano has published a non-paper proposing changes to borders in the Western Balkans that has been raising controversy in recent days. Its authorship remains unclear. "Some information indicates that part of the content has been written in Budapest. Nevertheless, it is referred to in Brussels diplomatic circles as a 'Slovenian' non-paper as allegedly the Janša office has been involved in its mailing to various addresses," writes the portal.

Sputnik and Johnson & Johnson jabs added to quarantine-free border pass

LJUBLJANA - The government has made several changes to border restrictions, including to expand the exceptions for quarantine-free entry into Slovenia to people vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik V and the US Johnson & Johnson jabs against Covid-19, provided they have received the first dose at least 21 days ago. Quarantine- or test-free entry is already possible for those producing certificates proving they have been inoculated with Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines.

Number of new coronavirus infections drops on Wednesday

LJUBLJANA - The number of new infections dropped both in daily and weekly comparison in Slovenia on Wednesday. A total of 891 new cases were confirmed in 4,278 PCR and 24,242 rapid tests, while a week ago the figure was 1,527. Seven patients died. The rolling 7-day daily average dropped from 1,021 to 931 yesterday, which means the country now meets the criteria for the orange tier of restrictions.

Trade union calls for full reopening of hospitality sector

LJUBLJANA - Although the hospitality sector has been eagerly awaiting at least a partial reopening, it is not happy with the government's decision to reopen only outdoor facilities in eight of Slovenia's 12 regions with the best epidemiological situation. If restaurants and hotels can be open for politicians, business meetings and sport events, they should open for all so that hospitality workers can work and live off their pay, the union said.

Govt secures one-off allowance for the unemployed

LJUBLJANA - More than 10,000 unemployed who have lost their job since the coronavirus epidemic was first declared in the country over a year ago will receive a one-off solidarity allowance of EUR 150 under a decision taken by the government on Wednesday. According to a press release issued after the session, the government secured EUR 1.51 million for the first payment of the allowance by relocating funds within the financial plan of the Ministry of Labour.

Govt adopts military service law changes

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the act on service in the Slovenian armed forces, aiming to address long-standing issues pertaining to labour regulations. The most burning issue addressed in the changes are off-days for soldiers deployed in missions abroad. Many soldiers have taken the Defence Ministry to Labour Court because they had not been able to take weekly days off during deployment. The changes are expected to cost an additional EUR 6 million annually.

Simoniti discusses media freedom, STA with CoE commissioner

LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti held an online talk with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović on Wednesday to discuss media freedom and the freedom of expression, the Culture Ministry said. The pair also discussed the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and proposed changes to the media legislation. According to the ministry, Simoniti assured the commissioner that the Slovenian government thinks media freedom is crucial.

Youth and digitalisation in focus of Adriatic-Ionian conference

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor said the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative was an important leverage of regional cooperation and European integration of Western Balkan countries as he addressed the 17th conference of parliamentary speakers from the group of 10 countries as part of Slovenia's presidency of the initiative. He noted the epidemic had narrow down the youth's options for full-fledged activities, enhancing a feeling of hopelessness. This could speed up young people's emigration, a problem encountered by most countries in the Adriatic and Ionian region, he warned.

Commission urges govt to address homelessness

LJUBLJANA - Convening an emergency session, the parliamentary Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities got acquainted on Wednesday with the issue of homelessness during the epidemic. The commission urged the government to prepare a national programme resolution by the end of the year to address homelessness. Homeless people suffer from social exclusion and they are denied access to numerous rights, Miha Kordiš of the Left said, noting that since the start of the epidemic many of them had been without access to drinking water or protective personal equipment (PPE), among other things.

Demographic Office launch postponed to 15 July

BRDO PRI KRANJU - The government decided to postpone the launch of the Government Office for Demographic Affairs by another three months, to 15 July 2021. The specialised institution designed to address demographic challenges was to be launched on 15 January, which was first postponed to 15 April and now to 15 July.

February pay down on monthly level, up annually

LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in Slovenia in February stood at EUR 1,946, down 1.6% nominally and 1.9% in real terms on January. Totalling EUR 1,254, the average net pay was also down - by 1.2% in nominal terms and 1.5% in real terms, the Statistics Office said on Thursday. Those working in healthcare and social care received the highest pay.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

15 Apr 2021, 14:55 PM

British International School of Ljubljana Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the British Government

The British International School of Ljubljana has been rated ‘Outstanding in every category’ in its latest inspection by PENTA International.

Penta International, one of the leading independent inspectorates of British Schools Overseas, accredited by the British Government’s Department for Education (DfE), recently completed a comprehensive inspection of the British International School of Ljubljana that included a 3-day site visit for lesson observations, learning walks, data analysis and discussions with groups of students, staff and parents. The resulting report, published last week, recognises the British International School of Ljubljana as an outstanding school, in every category, a historic first in its journey as a school.

“The British International School of Ljubljana (BISL) is an outstanding school. It is held in high regard by the local community,” highlights the report recently released by Penta International.

BISL is proud to have achieved not only an Outstanding rating overall but an Outstanding rating in every category assessed, making it the only Outstanding school in the region.

The purpose of regular inspections is to provide information for parents, teachers, senior managers and the school’s management on the overall effectiveness of the school, the standard of education it provides and its compatibility with independent schools in the United Kingdom and around the world.

The inspection and report covers the key areas of quality of the curriculum; quality of teaching and learning; the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students; their welfare, health and safety; the suitability of the proprietor and staff; the school’s premises; and the school's complaints procedures. An essential part of the inspection is considering the extent to which the British character of the school is evident in its ethos, curriculum, teaching, care for students and their achievements.

“It has been my absolute privilege to lead our school through this inspection, and I am incredibly proud of our achievement. With such fantastic students and a dedicated team of professionals, this is something that our community truly deserves,” said Paul Walton, Principal of the British International School of Ljubljana.

The report elaborated by Penta International highlights as the school strengths, “the students, who are happy, confident, friendly, well-behaved, enthusiastic learners,” as well as, “the high standard of spoken English: students make excellent progress, thanks to a well-coordinated and coherent policy for students who speak English as an additional language (EAL) which is a very high proportion, and to a notable whole school approach to the teaching of the language,” along with ten other points.

“With strong, thoughtful leadership, the school has maintained a sharp focus on continuous improvement since the last BSO inspection. There is an evident emphasis on the quality of the students’ learning experiences and outcomes. As a result of a carefully planned curriculum and skilfully delivered lessons and activities, students make excellent progress,” concludes the report.

About the British International School of Ljubljana

Founded in 2008, the British International School of Ljubljana is a proud member of the Orbital Education family of schools.

The school offers a traditional British education for ages 2 to 18, with a personalised approach to learning, enabling each child to achieve beyond their perceived potential. Following the English National Curriculum, their ethos is to instil a passion for learning amongst young learners within a uniquely international setting, welcoming students from over 40 different nationalities, which, as well as providing a stimulating and cosmopolitan environment, also means that English is truly the common language, spoken throughout the school by all students and staff alike.

With a dedicated team of experienced and enthusiastic professionals, most of whom are native English speakers, the older students in Secondary School sit externally assessed IGCSE and A-Level examinations, which are considered gold standard qualifications as far as university admittance is concerned.

Click here for more information about the British International School of Ljubljana.

15 Apr 2021, 12:20 PM

Slovenian Website Releases Non-Paper Proposing Changes to W Balkan Borders

STA, 15 April 2021 - The Slovenian online portal Necenzurirano has published a non-paper [ed. a discussion paper which is not to form part of formal business] proposing changes to borders in the Western Balkans that has been raising controversy in recent days. Its authorship remains unclear, however, information available to the portal suggests a part of the document has been written in Budapest.

Speculation about the non-paper was prompted earlier this week as the Bosnian portal politicki.ba alleged that Slovenian Prime Minister Janša Janez had handed an unofficial document to European Council President Charles Michel in February or March proposing "finalisation of the breakup of Yugoslavia" as a topic of the Slovenian presidency.

Janša responded by saying the last time he met Michel was in 2020 and that it would be thus difficult for him to hand anything to him. He added that Slovenia was "seriously looking for solutions for the region's development and the EU prospects of the Western Balkan countries".

So this is apparently #Slovenia's non-paper, whose existence has been denied, calling for #Bosnia-#Herzegovina's dissolution and the unification of #Kosovo and #Albania, amongst other things. The document was leaked by @necenzurirano_. pic.twitter.com/OhIfWosa2C
— Ian Bancroft (@bancroftian) April 15, 2021

The Foreign Ministry said the only non-paper on the Western Balkans Slovenia had signed on to was the one drawn up by Croatia late last year to call for Bosnia-Herzegovina to become an EU accession candidate as soon as it meets the criteria.

Repeating that at Wednesday's session of the Foreign Policy Committee, Foreign Minister Anže Logar also assured MPs there had been no change to Slovenia's strategy on the Western Balkans.

The European Commission has said it is not aware of the alleged non-paper and its position on the borders in the region is very clear that there is nothing to be changed.

The non-paper entitled Western Balkans - a Way Forward was released today by the portal Necenzurirano, which says Michel's office received the writing in February past official diplomatic post.

Since the non-paper has no heading or signature it is not clear who has written it, but sources have assured the portal it has not emerged at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry.

"Some information indicates that part of the content has been written in Budapest. Nevertheless, it is referred to in Brussels diplomatic circles as a 'Slovenian' non-paper as allegedly the Janša office has been involved in its mailing to various addresses," writes the portal.

The non-paper says the main issue in the region is the "unresolved issues of Serbs, Albanians and Croatians" in the wake of Yugoslavia's breakup.

"Based on the existing methods and rhythm of problem solving, it is difficult to imagine the European perspective of Serbia and Kosovo, and membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina is fully excluded," reads the non-paper.

It says Turkey has taken advantage of the situation to enhance its influence in Bosnia-Herzegovina and North Macedonia, and that except for Turkey and few local politicians who personally benefit from the chaotic situation no one is happy with the situation in the country.

As a solution the non-paper proposes a unification of Kosovo and Albania, while the Serbian part of Kosovo be granted a special status modelled on South Tyrol.

The non-paper also proposes joining most of Republika Srpska with Serbia, which would make Serbia willing to agree to Kosovo's joining Albania.

The "Croatian national issue" would be resolved by "joining the predominately Croatian cantons of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia or by granting a special status to the Croatian part of Bosnia and Herzegovina", again applying the model of South Tyrol.

"Bosniaks will thus gain an independently functioning state and assume full responsibility for it," reads the non-paper, proposing for people to decide in a referendum between joining the EU or a non-EU future (Turkey).

15 Apr 2021, 10:35 AM

Sputnik and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Added to Slovenia’s Quarantine-Free Entry Criteria

STA, 15 April 2021 - The government has made several changes to border restrictions, including to expand the exceptions for quarantine-free entry into Slovenia to people vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik V and the US Johnson & Johnson jabs against Covid-19, provided they have received the first dose at least 21 days ago.

Quarantine- or test-free entry is already possible for those producing certificates proving they have been inoculated with Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines.

At its session on Wednesday, the government also extended the time allowed for transiting Slovenia from six to 12 hours, and added business reasons to the list of urgent reasons that allow quarantine- or test-free entry into the country.

Over 15-year-olds attending school across the border on a daily basis and those bringing commuting pupils or students across the border will no longer need to test weekly if they return right after dropping them off.

The exception for those owning or leasing land in the border area is being expanded to include their close family or same household members when they travel together.

Quarantine-free entry into Slovenia with a negative test taken within the last three days is also being allowed to citizens of EU or Schengen area countries who have been to one of those for up to 48 hours to provide care or assistance to family members or persons in need of care, or to do maintenance work at a private property they own, lease or use.

The exception pertaining to maintenance work on private property also includes household or close family members when travelling together with the eligible person.

The red list of countries was amended to remove Portugal and the UK, while there have also been changes to administrative units of Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Norway and Spain.

All our stories on covid and Slovenia, and the regularly updated police page on crossing the state border during the epidemic

15 Apr 2021, 04:33 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 15 April 2021

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Logar tells MPs Slovenia's strategy on W Balkans unchanged

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar told the Foreign Policy Committee that Slovenia's strategy on the Western Balkans had not changed as he responded to a question about an alleged non paper on the Western Balkans that PM Janez Janša was supposed to have sent to Brussels. He said recent developments in relations between Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina benefited no one and said summoning the Slovenian ambassador in Sarajevo over a single article published by the media in Bosnia-Herzegovina was a "diplomatic faux pas".

Pahor and Mattarella urge full return of National Hall to minority ASAP

ROME, Italy - President Borut Pahor and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella called for wrapping up the process of returning National Home, a Slovenian centre in Trieste, to the Slovenian minority in Italy as soon as possible as Pahor visited Mattarella in Rome. The pair said they intended to visit the border cities Gorizia and Nova Gorica in autumn. Pahor described the meeting as very useful. "We reached decisions that will have a positive impact on relations between Italy and Slovenia," he said as quoted by his office.

Logar to host Croatia and Italy counterparts over Adriatic

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar will host his Croatian and Italian counterparts, Gordan Grlić Radman and Luigi di Maio, in Slovenia on Wednesday, 21 April, so they will sign a joint statement on cooperation in the Northern Adriatic. Announcing the meeting at the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee, Logar said he would like the committee discuss the issue at a closed-door session before the meeting. The three ministers were supposed to sign the statement in December.

Slovenia says Covid certificate must not lead to more restrictions

LJUBLJANA - The EU member states reached an agreement at the ambassadorial level on a joint position on Covid certificates, with Slovenia emphasising that such a certificate must not lead to additional restrictions and that it must be available to all citizens. The joint position will serve as a basis for the member states to negotiate with the European Parliament, and the goal is that the certificate that would make it easier to Europeans to travel is to be ready by summer.

Počivalšek and Reynders discuss consumer protection

LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek met European Commissioner for Justice and Consumer Protection Didier Reynders to discuss the priorities of Slovenia's coming presidency of the Council of the EU in terms of consumer protection. Slovenia supports an ambitious take on the bloc's consumer policy, said Počivalšek. Slovenia will strive "to set up a well-oiled internal market that would ensure a high level of security in light of speedy development and modern technologies, and strengthen consumer trust".

Slovenia pledges commitment to climate goals in EU-Brazil event

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Ministry State Secretary Stanislav Raščan pledged Slovenia's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the EU's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, as he took part in a virtual EU-Brazil event on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. Raščan represented the EU along with Portuguese Minister of Environment and Energy Transition Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes and European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius.

Outdoor hospitality to open in eight regions Monday

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Conducting its weekly review of coronavirus restrictions, the government allowed hospitality establishments in eight of Slovenia's twelve statistical regions to serve guests at outdoor tables from 7am to 7pm for a week starting from Monday. Beer gardens and restaurant and cafe terraces will be allowed to reopen in the Goriška, Gorenjska, Obalno-Kraška, Pomurska, Posavska, Podravska, Koroška and Zasavska regions between 19 and 25 April.

Over 1,230 new coronavirus cases, five deaths confirmed on Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - 1,233 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Slovenia on Tuesday from 5,306 PCR tests. Five people died. The number of Covid patients in hospitals is 622, up 5 from yesterday and 41 from Tuesday last week. 154 are in intensive care, up from 131 a week ago. The rolling 7-day average of new daily cases is at 1,021, up from 1,014 on Monday and up from 889 a week ago. The 14-day cumulative incidence per 100,000 residents dropped from yesterday's 652.5 to 637.

Self-testing at secondary schools postponed

LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry postponed the launch of voluntary self-testing for secondary school pupils for coronavirus planned for Friday due to a delay in the supply of test kits. Slovenia has ordered 300,000 rapid antigen test kits as part of an EU bulk buy. It is not clear yet when self-testing cold start. Meanwhile, several civil initiatives have collected over 21,000 signatures in support of a petition against self-testing.

Referendum on budget act declared inadmissible

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted 46:31 on Tuesday night to declare as inadmissible a referendum on amendments to the budget implementation act that exempt the military from certain budget constraints. The vote came after the opposition Left launched a referendum initiative, prompting the government to seek a parliamentary vote under constitutional provisions that make certain issues off limits to referendum votes. The Left is to challenge the decision at the Constitutional Court.

Left drafts bill to exclude foreign capital from rail project

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Left tabled a bill to exclude potential foreign partners from construction of the rail track between Divača and the port of Koper. The party believes Slovenia should have full control of this strategic infrastructure, while Hungary's participation would have many negative consequences. MP Matej T. Vatovec said a foreign country entering 2TDK, the state-owned company managing the project, would be harmful to the project, and to Slovenia's public finances and strategic interests.

Unaffiliated MPs voted out of parliamentary working bodies

LJUBLJANA - The college of deputy group leaders voted against making four newly unaffiliated MPs, including the speaker, members of parliamentary bodies in a victory for what is formally a minority ruling coalition. Voting against involving the quartet of defectors from the SMC and DeSUS in the work of parliamentary committees and commissions were the coalition Democratic Party (SDS), New Slovenia (NSi) and Modern Centre Party (SMC) along with the opposition National Party (SNS) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and one minority MP.

Centre-left opposition in new attempt to oust education minister

LJUBLJANA - After failing to muster support in parliament to oust Education Minister Simona Kustec in mid-March, the four centre-left opposition parties are mounting a new attempt to have the minister either resign or be replaced, arguing she had let down her brief and the groups she is responsible for. The LMŠ, SocDems, Left and SAB want the parliamentary Education Committee call on Kustec to resign. Failing that, they are willing to consider a new ouster motion against her.

MPs told most hospitals relied on themselves in PPE supply

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary commission investigating procurement of protective personal equipment (PPE) concluded two days of hearings of hospital directors. They all reported that hospitals found themselves in a bind at the beginning of the Covid-19 epidemic, most of them resorting to their own devices in ordering PPE. Some of them relied on help from the state, which started jumping in in mid-March when the current government took over.

Pension insurer also opposes contributions cap

LJUBLJANA - After the public health insurer expressed opposition to a cap on social security contributions planned by the government, director general of the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute (ZPIZ) Marijan Papež followed suit, saying this would cost the pension purse around EUR 70-100 million less in revenue a year. Speaking for the STA, Papež said that a cap on contributions for salaries exceeding EUR 6,000 gross was a partial solution that undermined the existing system.

Velenje city council says EUR 235m not enough for coal phaseout

VELENJE - Velenje city councillors said EUR 235 million in funds planned for the energy transition of Slovenia's two coal regions was almost five times too low as they discussed a draft national strategy to phase out coal and restructure both coal regions on Tuesday. The municipality believes EUR 1.1 billion will be needed to finance various projects to restructure Savinja-Šalek and Zasavje in line with fair transition principles.

Safilo workers to get higher severance as plant shuts down

ORMOŽ - The Italian group Safilo reached an agreement with the workers of its Ormož eyewear production plant on higher severance pay, annual leave allowances and other bonuses as the plant is slated for shut-down in June at the expense of almost 560 jobs. The company said the agreement also envisaged long-service bonuses for workers who would otherwise be eligible for them only at the end of 2021. The worker's trade union assessed the deal as successful.

Book documents refugee experiences in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - A book delivering stories, recollections and literary works by refugees from various countries who now reside in Slovenia was launched with a reading in a Ljubljana park. The book, titled Tukaj Smo (Here We Are), saw the light of day due to efforts by the Slovenian refugee community. The book was published by the Ambasada Rog community centre, a local collective run by activists, refugees, squatters and artists.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

14 Apr 2021, 21:33 PM

Outdoor Hospitality Opening in 8 of Slovenia’s 12 Regions on Monday

STA, 14 April 2021 - Hospitality establishments in eight of Slovenia's twelve statistical regions will be allowed to serve guests at outdoor tables from 7am to 7pm for a week starting from Monday under a government decision.

Beer gardens and restaurant and cafe terraces will be allowed to reopen in the Goriška, Gorenjska, Obalno-Kraška, Pomurska, Posavska, Podravska, Koroška and Zasavska regions between 19 and 25 April, reads a message posted on the government's Twitter account.

"We are extending the currently valid exceptions and in eight orange regions we are opening terraces and gardens of restaurants and bars between 7am and 7pm. The hospitality industry will be able to breathe more easily and we are yet another step closer to the life as we used to know," Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said on his Twitter profile.

Precautionary measures issued by the National Institute of Public Health will have to be observed. So far this included the wearing of masks by guests and staff except when seated at tables and weekly testing for the staff.

The government took the decision during a session at Brdo estate on Wednesday dedicated to a weekly review of coronavirus restrictions.

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