News
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This summary is provided by the STA:
After lockdown, Slovenia in red tier of restrictions
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia entered the red tier of coronavirus restrictions under an overhauled traffic light system after an eleven-day circuit breaker lockdown ended. The night curfew was lifted after nearly six months, most shops and services reopened and pupils are back to school. Primary schools and the final year of secondary school returned to full in-person instruction and the rest of secondary students are split in half to alternate between classroom and remote learning every week.
Sunday's coronavirus case count at 287
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 287 coronavirus cases amid Sunday's reduced testing, which laves the rolling seven-day average unchanged at 903. Seven Covid-19 patients died and 636 remain in hospitals, including 142 in intensive care. Mateja Logar, the government's chief Covid-19 advisor, commented by saying the 11-day lockdown appeared to have halted exponential growth in transmissions. According to the National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia has so far confirmed 226,787 coronavirus cases and 4,411 deaths. An estimated 13,792 cases are active.
Vaccination task force decides AstraZeneca to be used for everyone over 18 years old
LJUBLJANA - The Covid-19 vaccination task force at the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) has decided the AstraZeneca vaccine will be administered to everyone over 18 years old without any restrictions, a member of the group Alojz Ihan told commercial broadcaster POP TV given that EMA had found no connection with side effects to either age or gender. This was confirmed by the head of the group, Bojana Beović.
Vaccination coordinator blames info commissioner for vaccination problems
LJUBLJANA - National vaccination coordinator Jelko Kacin pointed the finger at Information Commissioner Mojca Prelesnik last night when asked about problems in vaccination organisation on a current affairs show broadcast by RTV Slovenija. Prelesnik denied the accusation, saying the responsibility for delays lay solely with the government. Kacin was asked on air Sunday night why Slovenia had not set up an effective nation-wide IT system allowing those who want to get vaccinated to register for a jab. The moderator also noted that some had gotten vaccinated simply by turning up at a vaccination site, while others could not get vaccinated despite having applied.
Slovenia urges launch of Covid passport by June along with some EU members
BRUSSELS, Belgium - A group of 13 EU countries, including Slovenia, intends to address a letter to chief EU institutions listing seven priorities in preparations for Covid-status certificates that are expected to facilitate travel amid the pandemic. The countries call for launching the system as soon as possible, preferably by June.
Ambassador in Bosnia summoned over alleged non paper on Western Balkans
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina/LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Ambassador Zorica Bukinac has been summoned to the Bosnian Foreign Ministry, in what the Slovenian Foreign Ministry says is standard diplomatic practice. Bosnian media reported that the reason is PM Janez Janša sending to the EU a non paper on re-writing of borders in the Western Balkans, which the PM has already denied. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry said today the only non paper on the Western Balkans that Slovenia had joined was Croatia's from the end of last year.
Pahor to visit Mattarella on Wednesday
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor will meet Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella in Rome on Wednesday, taking him up on his invitation to visit. The meeting will be a continuation of regular dialogue that is maintained by the pair also during the pandemic, Pahor's office said. The presidents of Slovenia and Italy, countries with neighbourly and friendly ties, are to discuss the implementation of agreements on the return of the National Hall, a Slovenian centre in Trieste, to the Slovenian minority in Italy, a press release by the office reads.
EU Commission on virtual Rule of Law Report visit to Slovenia
BRUSSELS, Belgium - According to unofficial information, the European Commission is on a virtual visit to Slovenia today in preparation for its second Rule of Law Report, which is expected in July. Slovenia submitted its assessment of the situation in late March. The purpose of the visit is to obtain additional information and clear up any issues. The Foreign Ministry said the visit was an informal exchange of information that was part of the Commissions's preparations for the annual report, adding that talks were conducted with representatives of relevant departments as part of the process.
MEPs address series of questions to Janša govt
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Parliament's Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group has addressed almost fifty written questions to the Slovenian government, PM Janez Janša and Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti, as it is trying to fully assess media freedom in Slovenia. The follow-up questions, which concern a range of topics from media freedom, the judiciary, coronavirus restrictions to staffing and NGO funding, were sent out on 31 March after the group discussed the media situation in the country on 26 March. The PM's office said Janša and Simoniti would forward responses to the group's questions after a video about attacks on media and journalists was screened at a public session of the Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
Govt declares referendum on military investment inadmissible
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a draft decree at a correspondence session on Monday saying that a referendum on the changes to the 2021 and 2022 budgets implementation act to allow for long-term financing of investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces would be inadmissible. The Finance Ministry argued in a press release after the government session that under the Constitution a referendum must not be called on laws concerning taxes, customs and other levies and laws required for the implementation of the budget.
Delo poll: Govt support halves to 22% in a year
LJUBLJANA - The April poll run by Delo on shows support for the Janša government has dropped from 42% to 22% since April 2020, the lowest since Mediana first polled voters about the Janša government's popularity for the newspaper. The poll also shows an election would be won by the ruling SDS, with the opposition SD as the runner-up gaining ground. A year ago, the Janez Janša government's work was assessed as positive or very positive by over 42%, with almost a third seeing it as average and 20% as poor or very poor.
NBI cases review shows no faults in police work, reports 24ur.com
LJUBLJANA - A review of a number of closed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) cases that was ordered by Interior Minister Aleš Hojs last year has found zero mistakes or shortcomings in the audited police work, shows a report obtained by news portal 24ur.com. The report says that it is clear that all cases were investigated in accordance with guidelines by the competent prosecution office, therefore the review did not consider individual case-related decisions but compliance with established practices and methods of detective work, including in individual tasks.
STA director invites government to access all books and documents
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Press Agency (STA) director Bojan Veselinovič offered the government access to all books of account and documents, even though the STA has never received a formal request to that effect. In an open letter, Veselinovič said the government should say, in writing, who would access the documents on its behalf and in what way. He reiterated that the STA has not received the public service fee for this year, even though that obligation is set down in the seventh Covid relief law. The government said in a tweet that UKOM had called on Veselinovič to sing a new contract on 24 February and 29 March. It also published the two letters, which call on Veselinovič to "clearly say whether he acknowledges UKOM as a representative of the founder so that we can prepare a new contract and also forward all the documents that had been demanded".
Journalists condemn threats by govt national security official
LJUBLJANA - The journalists of the newspaper Delo, as well as the paper's editorial board and the Journalists' Association, condemned threats levelled against Delo's Brussels correspondent Peter Žerjavič by Žan Mahnič, the state secretary for national security. The journalists believe that the threat tweeted by Mahnič is yet another attempt to put pressure on the newspaper and individual journalists who are doing their job professionally and in line with the highest standards, also enjoying the support of the publisher leadership and editorial board.
April frost damage could reach EUR 50m, minister says
TREBNJE - The sub-zero temperatures that hit Slovenia last week could result in EUR 40-50 million in damage caused to fruit and wine growers, Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek estimated as he continued visiting the frost-stricken areas in Trebnje (SE). This is on a par with 2016 and 2017, when damage reached some EUR 45 million. He announced state aid measures. He said it was too early for the final damage estimate, but noted there would be virtually no Slovenian fruit this year.
Petrol upgrading public lighting system in Serbia's Zaječar
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian energy group Petrol announced having entered a public-private partnership for a project to replace almost 10,000 inefficient lights in the Serbian city of Zaječar. The project, whose value has not been disclosed, is expected to cut lighting costs EUR 1 million in the next 15 years, and to reduce CO2 emissions by 3,400 tonnes a year. Zaječar concluded the partnership with Petrol and its partners Smart Energy Investment and Maxwell Group at the beginning of the year.
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
STA, 12 April 2021 - The journalists of the newspaper Delo, as well as the paper's editorial board and the Journalists' Association, have condemned threats levelled against Delo's Brussels correspondent Peter Žerjavič by Žan Mahnič, the state secretary for national security.
The journalists believe that the threat tweeted by Mahnič is yet another attempt to put pressure on the newspaper and individual journalists who are doing their job professionally and in line with the highest standards, also enjoying the support of the publisher leadership and editorial board.
Last week, Žerjavič tweeted a link to an article about Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša's criticism of the German public broadcaster ARD following a report by the broadcaster about pressure on the media in Slovenia.
Unfortunately, Mr. @NikNeumaier, you performed a censorship #PRAVDA or #DerStürmer style. Literally. Excluding from your report almost everybody who disagreed with your one sided agenda. It’s a shame for #ARD @ARDstudioWien. #lyingforlivinghttps://t.co/qu9AOYBbYR https://t.co/rA889Wk6vi
— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) April 7, 2021
"Lügen für den Brotwerb". Tako so na ARD prevedli hud očitek slovenskega premierja (lying for living) njihovemu novinarju in celi hiši. Primerjanje osrednje nemške javne TV s Stürmerjem ali Pravdo je že tako poniglavost, kakršne na tej ravni še ni bilo. https://t.co/bd6zsFNLoJ
— Peter Žerjavič, Delo (@ZerjavicDelo) April 8, 2021
"Comparing the main German public TV broadcaster with Stürmer or Pravda is hypocrisy never before seen at this level," Žerjavič added in reference to the Nazi and Communist propaganda papers to which Janša likened the ARD and which is also discussed in the article posted on the website of the ARD news show Tagesschau.
In response, Mahnič tweeted "who in the EU cares what some irrelevant ARD thinks. You should be worried how many more Thursday afternoons you will be having fun at Place du Luxembourg if Petrič fails to get annexes for the second rail track."
.@ZerjavicDelo, koga v EU briga, kaj si misli nek brezvezni ARD. Tebe naj raje skrbi, kolikokrat se boš še lahko zabaval na Place du Luxembourg ob četrtkih popoldne, če Petrič ne bo dobil aneksov za #2tir.
— Žan Mahnič (@ZanMahnic) April 8, 2021
Mahnič was referring to Stojan Petrič, a co-owner and the director of the publisher Delo, who remains a prominent figure in the industrial conglomerate Kolektor, the company that recently signed key contracts with the government to build a new railway to the port of Koper.
Apart from current journalists working at Delo, an open letter was also issued by former journalists of the paper, saying Mahnič's tweet was not only a threat but also an attempt at blackmailing Delo.
"He has made these threats openly and without reservations, even though this is criminal blackmail, a brutal attack on the paper's autonomous editorial policy and media freedom in general. A new violent attempt at political subjugation of Delo is taking place via blackmail of the owner."
The letter also mentions alleged withdrawal of a commentary by Janez Markeš critical of the government from a Saturday edition after a part of the copy had already been printed.
"Was the editor under pressure from outside or under political pressure to do this? In any case, the paper has witnessed brutal (self)censorship, inconceivable in autonomous and credible journalism," former Delo journalists said.
They also noted that the pressure Delo had found itself under is not unlike the pressure to which public broadcaster RTV Slovenija and the press agency STA were being subjected.
STA, 12 April 2021 - National vaccination coordinator Jelko Kacin pointed the finger at Information Commissioner Mojca Prelesnik last night when asked about problems in vaccination organisation on a current affairs show broadcast by RTV Slovenija. Prelesnik denied the accusation, saying the responsibility for delays lay solely with the government.
Kacin was asked on air Sunday night why Slovenia had not set up an effective nation-wide IT system allowing those who want to get vaccinated to register for a jab. The moderator also noted that some had gotten vaccinated simply by turning up at a vaccination site, while others could not get vaccinated despite having applied.
How to get a covid test in Slovenia
FInd out where you can get a covid test in Slovenia here
Kacin noted people started registering at the country's one-stop-shop online portal eUprava in December after being called to do so by the government.
However, the Information Commissioner's Office had issued a temporary injunction preventing this data to be sent to local health care providers, said Kacin. "This is an unreasonable decision, and it is impossible to work miracles until it remains so."
Prelesnik said today that not her office but those in charge bore the full responsibility for the delays, having failed to plan an effective process of registration and implementation of the vaccination drive.
Prelesnik said Kacin was either "pretending ignorance or is actually ignorant of the problem, which are both rather concerning". Delays in the vaccination drive are caused by inadequate quantities of vaccines, which has nothing to do with the injunction, Prelesnik said.
Her office found that the eUprava registration process misled citizens because it remains impossible to determine what users had achieved by registering - whether they only demonstrated interest in getting vaccinated or had actually been placed on a waiting list.
The office imposed the injunction, instructing the Health Ministry, the National Institute for Public Health (NIJZ) and the Public Administration Ministry to inform individuals about the use of their personal data in mid-March.
They have not done this until this day and those who registered can in no way rely on their registration, which Prelesnik believes is unacceptable.
She said that those in charge had failed to show respect for basic human rights, such as the right to fair and transparent processing of personal data, when designing the process.
The Information Commissioner's Office found that public servants in charge of personal data protection within government bodies had raised issues but had been ignored by decision-makers.
Citizens have the right to know and the state must show them minimal respect by informing them how and where they can register to get vaccinated, said Prelesnik.
"Such important information should have been communicated by government representatives in a comprehensive and uniform manner. Instead we face new, contradicting and unclear statements by representatives of different bodies every day."
Prelesnik also called into question the purpose of the eUprava vaccination registration as such, saying nobody had accessed the data by the time the injunction was issued, while relevant bodies continue to instruct people to register only with their GP.
Interior Minister Aleš Hojs responded to Kacin's statement on Twitter last night, accusing Prelesnik of "unbelievable usurpation of authority".
Data on covid vaccination in Slovenia can be found here (in Slovenian only)
STA, 12 April 2021 - The sub-zero temperatures hitting last week could result in EUR 40-50 million in damage caused to fruit and wine growers, Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek said on Monday as he continued visiting the frost-stricken areas. This is on a par with 2016 and 2017, when damage reached some EUR 45 million. He announced state aid measures.
Podgoršek visited Trebnje in the south-east of the country and State Secretary Anton Harej was in the Vipava Valley in the region of Primorska, west.
The minister said it was still too early for the final estimate of the damage, but noted there will be practically no Slovenian fruit this year.
The Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief will be asked to assess the damage across the country, and also include the March frost in Primorska, west.
The minister said the government will help out with state aid, including an emergency bill to possibly lower or write off rent for affected farmers who rent state land.
Pension contributions could also be written off, while just like in 2016 and 2017, compensation for the loss of income will be considered. Ways to buy grapes and fruit from some farmers will also be examined.
Podgoršek agrees that procedures to obtain permits for irrigation and anti-frost systems should be sped up, something to be looked into together with the Environment Ministry.
What is more, a solution should be found to be more ambitious in such investments, he said, announcing his ministry will publish in May a EUR 20 million call for climate change-related investments.
Boštjan Kozole, the head of fruit growers at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS), said systemic solutions should be sought to set up sprinkler systems in at least a third of all orchids. His estimate is that last week's frost could reduce this year's fruit harvest by over 80%.
State Secretary Harej meanwhile said entire Primorska - from the coast in the south, to the Vipava Valley and further north in Goriška Brda - had been severely affected, with the entire harvest ruined in some of these areas.
Eighty to hundred percent of apricots, peaches and cherries were damaged in entire Primorska, he told the press after he completed the visit in Ajdovščina.
The state will probably write off the entire rent for farmers renting state land in this low-lying area where the frost was severest, he said.
Orchid growers using the Vogršček irrigation system will meanwhile not have to pay this year's fee as the system is not active because it is being upgraded.
Loans farmers have taken out in recent years could also be rescheduled, the state secretary announced.
"The damage to the crops is considerable, there will be practically no fruit from these orchids this year," said Branimir Radikon from the Nova Gorica Agriculture and Forestry Service.
STA, 12 April 2021 - Slovenia enters the red tier of coronavirus restrictions under an overhauled traffic light system on Monday after an eleven-day circuit breaker lockdown has ended. Most notably, the night curfew is gone after nearly six months and schools are once again open.
Primary schools will return to full in-person instruction and secondary schools will run on an alternating model where half the students are at home at any given time and then switch every week.
From black to green – what do the tiers mean? Learn more here…
In-person instructions remains limited in higher education institutions, however, as only groups of up to ten students may gather for practical exercises or exams. In music schools only individual classes are allowed.
Most service businesses will be open along with cultural institutions. Ski resorts are allowed to reopen as well and contactless sports activities in groups up to ten are allowed.
Bars and restaurants may offer deliveries or to-go services, except for B2B customers, who can be served inside.
Masks remain mandatory indoors, but the outdoor mask mandate, along with the curfew – one of the most unpopular measures – has been revoked.
Where can I get a COVID test in Slovenia?
In the red tier travel between statistical regions is prohibited, but there are over a dozen exemptions, including for travel to work, family emergencies, seasonal work on own property and transit.
Places of worship will reopen but are limited to one worshipper per 30 square metres.
The eleven-day lockdown was put in place in the aftermath of a surge in infections to prevent Slovenia sliding into an uncontrollable phase of the epidemic.
The latest daily figures indicate cases have started flattening, but the caseload remains high and hospitals numbers continue to grow, albeit at a slow pace.
STA, 11 April 2021 - AK Automotive, a Turkish-owned company, to expand production and has recently purchased a production facility in Koper it used to lease from Cimos. It plans to invest more than EUR 20 million in the location within a year.
AK Automotive was set up in 2018 by Kücükoglu Holding, which acquired Cimos's kinematics business the same year.
The company now manufactures car parts for Audi, Daimler, Volkswagen and Aston Martin, AK Automotive director Bülent Göral has told the STA.
Apart from the existing facility, the company intends to build a new one on some 2,000 square metres to install a new machine for the manufacture of larger car parts and chassis segments.
"Given the factories of our clients, we see this factory as having a strategic location," Göral said.
The company did not reveal its financials, but Göral said it had finished the past two years in the red, as expected.
The number of employees is expected to increase from 75 to 95 by the end of 2021 and to 220 by the end of 2023, of whom around 30% would be engineers and technicians.
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:
Condemnation as councillor's house attacked with petrol bomb
ČRNOMELJ - It was reported that a fire broke out Friday evening in the house of a local councillor for the LMŠ in Črnomelj, Vesna Fabjan, after an unknown perpetrator threw a petrol bomb though the window. The fire was put out quickly and nobody was hurt. Senior officials condemned the incident. President Borut Pahor said this was "a despicable act that demands resolute condemnation from the entire democratic public". Prime Minister Janez Janša said the attack was "a crime that must be condemned and punished - regardless of motive."
548 new coronavirus cases recorded Saturday, seven deaths
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 548 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday. The positive cases, which were down almost 24% on last Saturday, came from almost 2,900 PCR tests, for s positivity rate of just over 19%. Hospital numbers remained broadly stable as the number of patients with Covid-19 rose by ten to 615, whereas the number of intensive care cases dropped by two to 139. The seven-day rolling average of new daily cases slipped to 903 and the seven-day incidence of new cases per 100,000 population declined to 654.
Turkish-owned AK Automotive expanding production in Koper
KOPER - AK Automotive, a Turkish-owned company, plans to expand production and has recently purchased a production facility in Koper it used to lease from Cimos. It plans to invest more than EUR 20 million in the location within a year. Apart from the existing facility, the company intends to build a new one on some 2,000 square metres to install a new machine for the manufacture of larger car parts and chassis segments.
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
If you want to travel outside Slovenia, or know why you feel sick, then you’ll need a COVID test to prove your status, obtain a firm diagnosis or achieve peace of mind
Testing is available for Slovenians, foreign residents and visitors – i.e. everyone who finds themselves in the country, for whatever reason. Rapid antigen tests are available all over the country and at Ljubljana airport (details), at a cost of from €5 to €35. If you want a PCR test then that costs from €93 to €100. Appointments are often, but not always needed, so check your location first. The results for both rapid antigen and PCR tests are sent electronically within 24 hours, while at the airport the results take from four to six hours.
What should you do if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in Slovenia?
If you have the symptoms of COVID or think you may have been exposed, then first call contact 112, where English-language operators are available 24 hours a day to give advice.
You can find details of all the testing sites below, with ZD standing for zdravstveni dom (health centre). Do check the schedules for any changes, and call ahead of time if in any doubt to avoid disappointment
Ajdovščina
- testing locations: Ajdovščina Youth Center, Cesta IV. Prekomorske 61A
- rapid testing schedule
Vipava
- testing locations: Vipava Cultural Center
- rapid testing schedule
Ankaran website of Ankaran municipality
- location of testing: in the premises of the Municipal Administration in the centre of Ankaran, Regentova 2
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Bled website of ZD Bled
- testing location: ZD Bled
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Brežice website of ZD Brežice
- testing location: lobby of the Brežice Sports Hall
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Celje website of ZD Celje
- testing location: in the Golovec Hall, Celje
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Črnomelj website of ZD Črnomelj
- testing location: ZD Črnomelj (entrance from the new parking lot)
- every day from Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 14.00
ZD Domžale website of ZD Domžale
- testing location: Sports park at the skating rink, Domžale
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 8.30 and 14.00
- Wednesday and Thursday between 7.30am and 12.45pm
ZD Dravograd website of ZD Dravograd
- testing location: at the location of the covid entry point in front of TD Dravograd
- Monday to Friday between 10.30 and 11.30
- you need to make an appointment by calling 02 87 23 400
ZD Gornja Radgona website of ZD Gornja Radgona
- testing location: ZD Gornja Radgona
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 15.00 and 17.00
- more information on specific testing
ZD Grosuplje website of ZD Grosuplje
- test location: Grosuplje Fire Station (drive in or on foot)
- periodic testing - information on the website
ZD Hrastnik website of ZD Hrastnik
- testing location: ZD Hrastnik
- Monday to Friday between 9.00 and 10.00
ZD Idrija website of ZD Idrija
Idrija
- testing location: Podhod Magazin, Ulica sv. Barbara 4-5
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, between 12.00 and 16.00
Cerkno
- testing location: on the premises of the Center for School and Extracurricular Activities
- on Thursdays, between 12.00 and 16.00
ZD Ilirska Bistrica website of ZD Ilirska Bistrica
- testing location: health centre, COVID clinic
- rapid testing schedule
- you need to call (between 08.00 and 10.00, or 13.00 and 14.00) or email to book a test, on 041 448 083 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
ZD Ivančna Gorica website Ivančna Gorica
- testing location: in the parking lot in front of the Ivančna Gorica Cultural Center
- Monday between 8.00 and 13.00
- Tuesday and Thursday between 13.00 and 17.00
- Wednesday between 8.00 and 12.00
ZD Izola website of ZD Izola
- testing location: ZD Izola
- every working day from 10.00 onwards
- you have to call for an appointment, on 040 224 016 and between 10.00 and 12.00, for a test the next working day
ZD Jesenice website of ZD Jesenice
- testing location: ZD Jesenice - entrance from the eastern part of the health center, at the back of the parking lot behind the lock (left side of ZD)
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Kamnik website of ZD Kamnik
- location: House of Culture Kamnik
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Kočevje website of ZD Kočevje
- testing location: Kočevje Sports Hall
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Koper website of ZD Koper
- location: in front of the Bonifika Health Center, Ljubljanska 6A, Koper
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 13.00 and 16.00
- Tuesday and Thursday between 2.30pm and 4pm
- additionally location: ZD Bonifika, Covid entry point in front of the health centre
- Saturday and Sunday between 9.00 and 17.00
ZD Kranj website of ZD Kranj
Kranj
- testing location: lobby of the municipality of Kranj
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.00 and 12.00
Cerklje na Gorenjskem website of the municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem
- testing location: in the old pharmacy next to the PE Cerklje Post Office (Trg Davorina Jenka 13, 4207 Cerklje)
- every Thursday between 9.00 and 12.00
Naklo website of the municipality of Naklo
- testing location: Janez Filipič Home, Kranjska cesta 1, Naklo
- website of the municipality of Naklo
Šenčur website of the municipality of Šenčur
- testing location: Dom krajanov, Kranjska cesta 2, Šenčur
- website of the municipality of Šenčur
ZD Krško website of ZD Krško
- testing location: drive-in in the parking lot for ZD Krško, CKŽ 132c
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 07:00 and 10:00
ZD Laško website of ZD Laško
- testing location: ZD Laško entry point (and sometimes KD Laško)
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Lenart website of ZD Lenart
- testing location: ZD Laško entry point (sometimes KD Laško)
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8.00 and 12.00
- Tuesday and Thursday between 13.00 and 17.00
ZD Lendava website of ZD Lendava
- testing location: at the Centre for Protection and Rescue in Lendava
- on Monday and Friday between 12.30 and 14.30
Dobrovnik - testing location: at the Center for Protection and Rescue in Dobrovnik
- Tuesday between 12.30 and 14.30
Turnišče - testing location: at the Turnišče Medical Station
- Wednesday between 12.30 and 14.30
Črenšovci - testing location: at the Črenšovci Health Station
- Thursday between 12.30 and 14.30
ZD Litija website of ZD Litija
- testing location: ZD Laško entry point (sometimes KD Laško)
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Ljubljana website of ZD Ljubljana
- testing location: Gospodarsko razstavišče, hall A
Larger groups can order a quick test appointment at the e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at the telephone number 041 399 832 (available every working day between 9.00 - 11.00).
Ljubljana, Vilharjev podhod website of the Health Institute
- testing location: Zdravstveni zavod Zdravje, MCL, Vilharjev podhod 1, Ljubljana
- rapid testing schedule
Ljubljana, Kongresni trg
- testing location: Kongresni trg in Ljubljana
- Monday to Friday between 14:00 and 17:00
- Saturday: 09:00 to 12:00
Ljubljana, Community Heath Centre, Metelkova
- you need to pre-order a PCR test at 086 31 619 35, and the cost is €100, with more details here
ZD Ljutomer website of ZD Ljutomer
- testing location: ZD Ljutomer
- every Monday and Thursday between 14.00 and 16.00
ZD Logatec website of ZD Logatec
- testing location: Logatec Sports Hall
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Maribor website of ZD Maribor
- Monday to Thursday between 7.30 and 19.00
- Friday between 7.30 and 14.30
- Saturday and Sunday between 8.00 and 12.00
- in alphabetical order of surnames:
- morning: 7.30 - 8.30: ABC Č D, 8.30 - 9.30 EFGHI, 10.30 - 11.30: JKLMN, 11.30 - 12.30: OPRS Š, 13.30 - 14.30: TUVZ Ž
- afternoon: 15.00 - 15.30 ABC Č D, 15.30 - 16.00 EFGHI, 16.30 - 17.30 JKLMN, 17.30 - 18.00 OPRS Š, 18.00 - 19.00 TUVZ Ž
ZD Medvode website of ZD Medvode
- testing location: Medvode Cultural Center
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Metlika website of ZD Metlika
- testing location: in front of ZD Metlika
- every working day between 8.00 and 9.00
ZD Murska Sobota website of ZD Murska Sobota
- test location: Grajska 24 (blue container marked 1 at the DMD building)
- Monday to Friday between 7.30 and 18.30
- Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 10.00 and 12.00 and between 14.00 and 16.00 (location: blue container marked 2 at the DMD building)
ZD Nova Gorica website of ZD Nova Gorica
for residents of the municipalities of Nova Gorica, Brda, Kanal ob Soči, Miren-Kostanjevica, Renče-Vogrsko and Šempeter-Vrtojba
- testing location: parking lot at the court along Kidričeva ulica in Nova Gorica (opposite Perle)
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Novo mesto website of ZD Novo mesto
New town
- testing location: lobby of the Janez Trdina Cultural Center in Novo mesto
- testing schedule: ZD NM website
Šentjernej
- testing location: in the lobby of the Primož Trubar Cultural Center in Šentjernej
- testing schedule: ZD NM website
ZD Ormož website of ZD Ormož
Ormož
- testing location: the premises of the old X-ray department of ZD Ormož
- Wednesday between 15.00 and 19.00
- Tuesday and Thursday between 9.00 and 13.00
Sveti Tomaž
- testing location: the premises of the old dispensary next to the municipal building
- Monday between 9.00 and 13.00
Središče ob Dravi
- testing location: municipal building premises
- Friday between 9.00 and 13.00
ZD Piran website of ZD Piran
- test location: ZD Piran in Lucija, under the canopy of the Emergency Medical Service
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Postojna website of ZD Postojna
- testing location: ZD Postojna
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Ptuj website of ZD Ptuj
- testing location: parking lot - container 2 next to ZD Ptuj
- Monday between 9.00 and 18.00
- Tuesday between 12.00 and 18.00
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9.00 and 18.00
- Saturday, Sunday and public holidays between 09:00 and 11:00
Kidricevo
- testing location: Kidričevo clinic, Mladinska ulica 9, Kidričevo
- Tuesday between 9.00 and 11.00
ZD Radeče website of ZD Radeče
- location: COVID container in front of ZD Radeče
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Radlje ob Dravi website of ZD Radlje ob Dravi
- location: ZD Radlje ob Dravi - container in the parking lot behind the building
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Radovljica website of ZD Radovljica
- location: in front of the entrance to the emergency room of ZD Radovljica
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Ravne na Koroškem website of ZD Ravne
- location: ZD Ravne na Koroškem
- Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 13:00
ZD Sevnica website of ZD Sevnica
Sevnica
- testing location: COVID tent Sevnica
- from Monday to Friday between 11.00 and 15.00, and longer if needed
Mirna Valley - Krmelj
- location of testing: location Mirnska dolina - Krmelj - Dom svobode Krmelj
- Wednesday between 15.00 and 17.00, and longer if needed
- Friday between 10.00 and 12.00, and longer if needed
ZD Sežana website of ZD Sežana
- location: ZD Sežana
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Slovenj Gradec website of ZD Slovenj Gradec
Slovenj Gradec
- testing location: MKC Slovenj Gradec
- every working day between 7.00 and 9.30
- Tuesday and Thursday between 16.00 and 19.00
Mislinja
- testing location: Centre Lopan
- Monday between 8.00 and 9.00
Kope
- WEEKEND ONLY between 7.30 and 11.00
ZD Slovenska Bistrica website of ZD Slovenska Bistrica
- testing location: in the tent in front of ZD Slovenska Bistrica
- Monday to Friday, 14:00 to 16:00
- Saturday, Sunday and public holidays between 07:00 and 09:00
ZD Slovenske Konjice website of ZD Slovenske Konjice
- testing location: at the garages of the Medical Centre
- from Tuesday to Friday, between 12.30 and 14.00
ZD Šentjur website of ZD Šentjur
Šentjur for people in Šentjur and Dobje
- testing location: blue container for the ZD Šentjur building
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Šmarje pri Jelšah website of ZD Šmarje pri Jelšah
ZP Šmarje pri Jelšah
- testing location: ZP Šmarje pri Jelšah
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday between 12.00 and 14.00
- Tuesday between 15.00 and 17.00
ZP Rogaška Slatina
- testing location: ZP Rogaška Slatina
- Monday between 12.00 and 14.00
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday between 7.30 and 10.00
- Thursday between 14.00 and 17.00
ZD Škofja Loka website of ZD Škofja Loka
- location: in the Tourist Information Center (TIC) - old Petrol
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 13.00 and 17.00
ZD Trebnje website of ZD Trebnje
- location: Trebnje Health Center
- every working day by prior arrangement
- pre-order the test by calling 040 672 254 between 6.45 and 14.00.
ZD Tolmin website of ZD Tolmin
- location: ZD Tolmin
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Trbovlje website of ZD Trbovlje
- testing location: Delavski dom Trbovlje
- from Tuesday to Friday between 14.00 and 16.00
- Pre-ordering is required by phone: 03 62 08 245 (between 10:30 and 12:30)
ZD Tržič website of ZD Tržič
- location: ZD Tržič
- Tuesday between 13:00 and 17:00
- rapid testing schedule
ZD Velenje website of ZD Velenje
- testing location: Red Hall Velenje
- on weekdays between 7.00 and 14.00
ZD Vrhnika website of ZD Vrhnika
- location: Cankarjev dom Vrhnika (Tržaška c. 25)
- regular testing: rapid testing schedule
ZD Zagorje ob Savi website of ZD Zagorje ob Savi
- location: in a container in the parking lot for ZD Zagorje ob Savi
- Monday between 12.00 and 14.00
- Wednesday between 9.00 and 11.00
- Friday between 8.00 and 9.00
- additional information on the website
ZD Žalec website of ZD Žalec
- testing location: ZD Žalec
- rapid testing schedule
ZP Vransko
- regular testing: rapid testing schedule
ZP Železniki website of the contractor in the municipality of Železniki
- testing location: container in front of the Železniki health centre
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 7.00 and 9.00
- Monday to Friday between 12.30 and 13.00
- Saturday between 7.30 and 10.00
While something like normality won’t return to Ljubljana until cafés, bars and restaurants are fully functional, and you can enjoy the cultural life of the city indoors and with others – taking in a concert, exhibition, movie or show, dancing or just hanging out with people who aren’t family and friends, and the opportunity for chance encounters returns – there are still things of novelty and interest to be found.
Photos: Nejc Ketiš for Alternative Ljubljana
One of these is exploring the streets and looking out for the work of (Space) Invader, with some new additions since you were perhaps last in town. Invader is the French graffiti artist who works in pixel mosaics, named after his signature Space Invader icon. His work can be seen in 79 cities around the world, and have long been hiding on various walls in the always delightful and pocket-size Slovenian capital, with examples old and new illustrating this story.
Recently the anonymous and often masked or otherwise obscured artist was back in Ljubljana on the occasion of a new show dedicated to his work at the International Centre of Graphic Arts in Tivoli Park, running until 18 May 2021, and is titled Invader: Prints on Paper. Of course, in addition to helping the gallery arrange the show Invader too the opportunity to add at least 20 new mosaics to the city.
That’s one way to enjoy the artist’s work in Slovenia, and with a replica of his “life-sized” Hong Kong Phooey mosaic selling for $250,000 in 2015 galleries may be increasingly common venues for Invader. Arguably the best way, however, is on the streets, as originally intended, as interventions into the urban space and a delight for all who find them.
Photo: Nejc Ketiš for Alternative Ljubljana
Photo: Xenia Guzej
But how can you find them and put them in context?
You could spend a few weeks in the city, walking around with your eyes on the walls and at risk of being hit by a bicycle or crashing into a busker, or simply join the latest offering from Alternative Ljubljana, which specialises in the kind of history and art you find on the streets, before it gets commodified and codified, as explored in an earlier story: If These Walls Could Talk: Getting Under the City’s Skin with Alternative Ljubljana Tours
Photos: Nejc Ketiš for Alternative Ljubljana
The first Invader Tour was held on 21 March, and more are planned by as yet unscheduled due to COVID, so check here for more details. These tours join Alternative Ljubljana’s other offerings, which include the free graffiti tour along with a street art tour with workshop, LGBTQ+ tour, wicked tour, and deadly tour, with walking / wheelchair versions along with bicycle tours, which can all be booked for private groups, as detailed on the English language and easy to navigate website.
Follow the hunt for Invaders live
You can also download Invader’s very own augmented reality game (Android and Apple) to help in the hunt for his mosaics, in Ljubljana and around the world, and follow the artist on Instagram. Meanwhile, fans of the streets culture and art of Ljubljana can keep up with the scene from the comfort of home by following the photos of Alternative Ljubljana, at least until travel, cafés, nightclubs, galleries and bars are all fully functional again.
STA, 10 April 2021 - Voters in Slovenia are apparently not tired of new faces and parties as more than 64% of the respondents in a public opinion poll conducted by Mediana for the newspaper Delo said the Slovenian political arena needs a new party that would fill the content gap.
Region-wise, the largest share of respondents who are inclined to a new face come from central Slovenia, shows the survey conducted between 6 and 8 April on a sample of 705 adults.
As many as 79% of the respondents from the voter base of the opposition Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) would like to see a new face come, which confirms that the party of the former prime minister does not have a solid base, Delo said on Saturday.
On the other hand, as many as 56% supporters of the ruling Democrats (SDS) think that new faces and parties are not needed in Slovenia.
Around 23% of the respondents would certainly or probably vote for Aleksandra Pivec, the former president of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) who has established a new party called Our Land.
The same share of support goes for MPs Igor Zorčič and Janja Sluga, who recently left the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC).
According to the poll, the most recognisable face and having the most chance of being voted for is MEP Ljudmila Novak, the former president of the coalition New Slovenia (NSi).
Court of Audit president Tomaž Vesel and former Environment Minister Jure Leben, who is establishing a new party with a green note, are supported by 15% and 16% of the respondents, respectively.
Delo notes that these shares are not directly translatable to actual election results, as the respondent were limited only to a theoretical environment of new parties alone that are not facing a "real" competition.
STA, 10 April 2021 - Comparative literature expert Aleš Vaupotič has been appointed the new director of Moderna Galerija, the national museum of modern art, for a five-year term starting on 6 April, the Culture Ministry has confirmed for the STA following media reports.
Vaupotič, who teaches comparative literature at the School of Humanities of the University of Nova Gorica, is also a multimedia artist, curator and art critic.
Confirming the media reports on the appointment, the Culture Ministry said that the "candidate knows what he is interested in and what he wants" and that Vaupotič was communicative and able to connect various stakeholders.
"He has the necessary managerial skills and he does not prefer only a narrow circle of artists and artistic practices ... which is why he is a guarantee that the necessary changes in the policy of Moderna Galerija will be made," it added.
The ministry argues that Vaupotič had good knowledge of modern technology and its use in modern artistic practices and promotion of art, adding that he was familiar with the museum's work as a former member of its council.
Aleš Vaupotič. Photo: Hladnikm, CC-by-SA 4.0
The new director is expected to present the collections more clearly and in a new way, as Vaupotič believes that the "certain distance of the public and experts to Moderna Galerija is a consequence of its excessive and narrow focus on political art."
In his vision, he announces a different manner in addressing the audience, greater integration at the national level, as Moderna Galerija needs to be available to all target groups, and travelling exhibitions from the collections.
Vaupotič succeeds Robert Simonišek, who was the acting director from the end of December last year under a decree that had put him at the helm of the museum until a full-fledged director is appointed, but no longer than one year.
This decision had been challenged by previous acting director Zdenka Badovinac, who had been at the helm of the museum since 1993. She claimed that her right to equality before the law was violated during the appointment procedure.
Vaupotič's appointment comes after the third iteration of the public call for the post of director, published in early December, a day after the government adopted a decree amending the museum's articles of association.
The step softened candidate selection criteria. Prior to the changes, candidates eligible to be appointed had to have at least five years of work experience related to the institution's field of expertise.
Under the decree, it is sufficient now that a candidate has five years of leadership experience at the minimum and that they are familiar with the museum's work.
