All our stories on coronavirus are here, while those covering covid-19 and Croatia are here. We'll have an update at the end of the day, and if you want newsflashes then we'll post those on Facebook
We can’t have pictures of COVID-19 every day. So instead we’ll try and show the works of Slovenian artists. Today it’s Xenia Guzej. You can see more of her work here.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases up by 13, no new deaths reported
Slovenia again extends passenger flight ban
Majority of students hurry to apply for solidarity allowance
Ex-president says govt efficient in Covid-19 efforts, worried about democracy
Ambassadors thanking key workers in Slovenia amid epidemic
Confirmed Covid-19 cases up by 13, no new deaths reported
STA, 23 April 2020 - Slovenia had 1,366 confirmed Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, up by 13 on the day before, with the number of fatalities unchanged at 79, shows the latest government data released on Thursday.
The figures indicate the coronavirus epidemic is tailing off, which is also evident from the number of people in hospital.
A total of 80 persons were in hospital for Covid-19, two fewer than the day before and significantly below the end-March peak of 119. Of these, 23 were in intensive care, down from 24.
Health authorities performed 1,268 coronavirus tests, for a total of 45,703 since the start of the crisis.
Slovenia again extends passenger flight ban
STA, 23 April 2020 - Slovenian air traffic is to remain severely restricted as the government yet again extended on Thursday a ban on passenger flights that was already prolonged twice, first in late March and then early April. The previous ban suspending flights within the EU until 27 April has been extended for two weeks.
The ban was first introduced on 17 March to help contain the Covid-19 spread. In line with the EU law, the government then extended it on 30 March for a period of two weeks. On 10 April, the restriction was again prolonged, with flights within the EU suspended until 27 April and the rest banned until further notice.
The latest decree will remain valid for two more weeks, said the Government Communication Office on Thursday.
The reason why a two-week suspension applies to EU destinations is because EU rules require member states to apply such bans only for 14 days due to unforeseeable and inevitable circumstances, and then extend them if necessary.
The ban does not apply to aircraft transporting cargo or mail, aircraft conducting special transport without passengers or ferry flights, or to foreign planes or helicopters on humanitarian or health missions.
Majority of students hurry to apply for solidarity allowance
STA, 23 April 2020 - Over 46,000 students have already applied for a one-off 150 euro allowance the government will pay them to help cover their costs of living amid the coronavirus epidemic. This is around 70% of a total of some 65,000 students studying this academic year in Slovenia.
Under the first stimulus package designed to mitigate the consequences of the crisis, all regular students with permanent residence in Slovenia are eligible for the allowance.
However, under the second stimulus package, which is to be passed in parliament next week, the eligibility will be expanded to non-regular students. The condition is that they are not employed, self-employed or farmers, Education Minister Simona Kustec told the press on Thursday.
The allowance, which does not cover secondary school students, will be paid out by 1 June, she announced.
Another Covid-19 measure concerning students is that their student status will be extended into the new academic year even if they fail to satisfy all criteria to advance.
Schools and kindergartens meanwhile remain closed, with a decision on whether they might reopen to be taken after in early May on the basis of an assessment by the medical profession.
Kustec reiterated this would be done only if safety could be guaranteed, or else the school year will be completed through distance learning.
"It's vital for the teaching process to be completed before the scheduled summer break. It can be completed by returning to classrooms or by continuing distance learning."
The idea is that kindergartens and schools should open parallel to the relaunch of the economy to resolve the issue of day care.
Should this not be feasible, Kustec will propose day care for certain groups of children and giving parents the option of staying at home in agreement with their employer.
Ex-president says govt efficient in Covid-19 efforts, worried about democracy
STA, 23 April 2020 - Thirty years after its first election, Slovenia still lacks a strategic orientation, former Slovenian President Milan Kučan said in an interview for the weekly Nedeljski Dnevnik. He deems the government's measures to fight the epidemic adequate, but is worried some of them could affect democracy.
Slovenia was in a way lucky not to hold an election after the Marjan Šarec government collapsed at the end of January, "but to get a new coalition, whatever it may be", Kučan said.
He believes the Janez Janša government is "relatively efficient" in dealing with the epidemic, deeming its work responsible and measures adequate.
However, he expects it to provide accurate information, speak calmly and most of all, give solid arguments to justify the harsh measures.
"I'm worried whether democracy, human rights and freedom of the press will be sacrificed in the name of the fight against the virus."
Kučan told the weekly that he fears "we are becoming a different society under the guise of the fight against coronavirus".
He is also critical of President Borut Pahor for failing to express his view on some issues, most notably the government's controversial letter to the Council of Europe about the state of the media in Slovenia.
Speaking for the weekly upon the 30th anniversary of the 1990 elections, when he was elected Slovenia's president, he also said the country had missed a lot since gaining independence in 1991. "We haven't tried hard enough to establish the country's strategic orientation."
He believes that Slovenia has not managed to preserve, let alone strengthen, the reputation it gained with the manner in which it gained independence, nor has it preserved the production potential of some companies which used to be appreciated abroad.
Our message to front-line workers in Slovenia ??... A huge thank you for your dedication and care ??????????? pic.twitter.com/aXkfWvt1Fw
— Sophie Honey (@HMASophieHoney) April 23, 2020
Ambassadors thanking key workers in Slovenia amid epidemic
STA, 23 April 2020 - Ambassadors to Slovenia have expressed gratitude to Slovenian healthcare workers and others fighting the Covid-19 epidemic on the front lines as well as the public for their efforts during these challenging times in a video message released online on Thursday.
"Thank you for looking after our nationals who live here. For looking after us and our staff when we need you. For looking after the people of Slovenia so well," said a total of 16 ambassadors in the clip.
"In each of our countries, Slovenian citizens play an active role. They're a great part of the community. We want to take the best care we can of them, too."
The video has been filmed by ambassadors themselves in their residences and without the usual technical support, said the British Embassy, which coordinated the project and edited the content.
The participating embassies included those representing Austria, Brazil, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Italy, Japan, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the US, the UK and the EU Commission.
