STA, 19 May 2021 - A quarter of residents at the minimum have had one dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 in all Slovenia's regions, Marta Grgič Vitek, the national vaccination coordinator, said on Wednesday. In some regions the share is nearing 30%.

The number of vaccine doses delivered to Slovenia has been rising. The Pfizer vaccine is the one that has topped the supplies so far, accounting for some two thirds of all the deliveries, whereas the AstraZeneca doses accounted for roughly a quarter.

Altogether, slightly over a million doses have been delivered so far. A total of 870,000 vaccine shots have been administered, Grgič Vitek of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) told today's coronavirus briefing.

The gap between the two figures is a result of different timelines of deliveries and vaccinations, among other things, she added.

Vaccination rates in age groups above 70 years are relatively high. The 60-69 age group has an almost 50% vaccination rate, but there is still a lot of room for improvement in the 50-59 category, she said.

Region-wise, the rate varies. The regions doing best are close to hit the 30% mark when it comes to the first dose vaccinations.

Those who have recovered from Covid-19 are advised to get a jab as soon as they are out of quarantine, and not after six months as was initially recommended, Grgič Vitek said.

She explained that the delay was recommended when the availability of vaccines was very limited.

If more than eight months have passed since the onset of the disease or if the person is immunocompromised, a full vaccination is necessary.

If one gets Covid-19 after receiving the first dose, they should be administered the second within six months since they first developed symptoms, she said.

She believes the third dose for those who were vaccinated at the very start of the rollout is not likely to be recommended ahead of autumn.

According to NIJZ, 571,797 people have received the first dose and 298,593 have been fully vaccinated, representing 27.2% and 14% of the population, respectively.

See lots of vaccination data, in Slovene, here

Here at TSN we’re not considering Ljubljana open for business this summer until Open Kitchen returns. So it’s with a heavy heart we report that Alma Kochavy, co-founder of the seasonal open-air dining experience that does so much to lift spirits downtown each Friday, has announced the planned launch of the 9^th season on 21 May will be postponed.

The reason why more 40 stalls offering food and drink with the tastes of Slovenia and beyond, from some of the top chefs, restaurants and cafés in town, will not be delighting crowds of locals and visitors is (of course) covid, with a twist. Even with the current restrictions it’s perfectly fine to purchase food and drink and consume it outside, so what’s the problem with Open Kitchen?

As Kochavy explains: “We can shop in shopping malls, we can go to a restaurant, we can walk around the markets, we can even go to a gallery, cinema and theatre, or cheer at a sporting event, but we mustn’t take food to the table ourselves or eat it in public area near the pick-up point. In other words: you can buy ice cream by Tromostovje [Triple Bridge] and eat it sitting on the Prešeren monument, but you can't buy šmorna [shredded pancake] from Open Kitchen and eat it on Pogačarjev trg sitting at a table that is carefully disinfected and placed at the prescribed and safe distance.”

As yet there’s no indication as to when Open Kitchen, and thus summer in Ljubljana, will begin, but we’ll let you know as soon as we do.

STA, 18 May 2021 - Student self-testing will be launched next Monday, but only for some secondary school students for now, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said on Tuesday. Others, including older primary school pupils, could start taking swabs a week later or as soon as possible. Student self-testing remains voluntary and will be conducted at home.

Initially it had been planned that the self-testing would start in schools on 16 April, however the situation hit a standstill due to delays in testing kits deliveries, which then had to be certified by health authorities.

After the National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food gave its approval, the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices cleared the self-test kits on Friday provided certain conditions are met.

Additional instructions must be provided along with the kits before the self-testing gets under way for older primary school students, Poklukar said after a meeting with student representatives, adding that it was therefore too soon to tell whether the kits will become available for the final three grades of primary school on 31 May or 7 June.

In secondary schools that are ready for this step the self-testing will be launched next Monday. Poklukar noted that the self-testing was not obligatory but it was recommended.

"We're adamant to launch self-testing in secondary and primary schools this [school] year so that we'll be ready for a potential worsening of the situation in the autumn," the minister said, adding that it was key to set up a system before any potential epidemiological escalations to allow for in-classroom schooling.

The self-testing, which is expected to be conducted every Monday before classes, will be mostly performed in the home environment mainly due to logistics. At-home testing for students has been advocated by head teachers of primary and secondary schools.

Slovenia procured the self-test kits in a joint EU public call - in the first round a total of 300,000 were ordered.

STA, 17 May 2021 - Further easing of anti-coronavirus restrictions kicks in on Monday as all secondary school and university students are allowed to fully return to in-person schooling, a limited number of spectators is permitted at sports events and opening hours for hospitality establishments are extended.

Classes in secondary schools will be held under model B, which means that all students are schooled in person and all students are allowed to reside in dormitories. Hygienic and preventive measures must be observed.

Face masks remain mandatory except for physical education classes. as does remains weekly testing for staff, except for those who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

Sports events will reopen to 50% sitting capacity for visitors who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the opening hours for hospitality establishments are being extended to between 5am and 10pm, from 7am-7pm in force now.

While indoor tables will still need to be three metres apart, the distance between people seated at the same table is no longer prescribed.

As of Monday, a new plan for relaxation of measures is in force, envisaging that many relaxations will apply, both in the yellow and green tier of restrictions, only to persons who are vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid-19 or who have tested negative.

Despite the improved epidemiological situation - Slovenia is now in tier yellow - the government formally extended the Covid-19 epidemic by 30 days from 17 May as all the country's statistical regions continue to have incidence of cases above the threshold for the epidemic.

STA, 15 May 2021 - As easing of coronavirus restrictions continues following the government's 12 May decisions, some changes kicked in today, when up to 50 persons are allowed to gather for organised public events and rallies, up from previously 10.

The other restrictions governing such events remain in place: face masks must be worn indoors, and a distance of at least 1.5 metres must be kept indoors and outdoors.

Several countries are also no longer on the list of high-risk red countries, including Slovakia and Israel.

Quarantine can meanwhile be again interrupted, if imposed on entry into Slovenia, after five days in case of a negative PCR test.

Already yesterday, cultural events were allowed to reopen to 50% sitting capacity outdoors and indoors for visitors who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid-19.

More people have also been allowed to attend religious services since yesterday.

Further easing is kicking in on Monday, when all secondary school and university students will be allowed to fully return to in-person schooling.

The government opted for the latest series of relaxations after Slovenia entered yellow tier of infections as Covid hospitalisations fell below 500 and the seven-day average of new infections below 600. It nevertheless formally extended the epidemic by another 30 days, starting on 17 May.

STA, 14 May 2021 - The National Assembly endorsed on Friday amendments to the act on communicable diseases that bring fines of between EUR 400 and EUR 4,000 for those who ignore orders to quarantine.

The new provisions stipulate that the National Institute of Public Health may order individuals to quarantine if they have been in a high-risk contact with a person infected with a dangerous communicable disease.

Police may issue quarantine orders on arrival in the country.

Compliance with quarantine orders will be supervised by the Health Inspectorate, which will issue fines for violations.

The main difference compared to the current system is that inspectors will conduct systematic checks, according to Health Ministry State Secretary Franc Vindišar.

A quarantine order may be issued if a person has been in contact with a person infected with plague or viral haemorrhagic fever, or any communicable disease that has triggered the declaration of an epidemic.

Note: the end date wasn't clear in the STA report - we'll update this story when things are confirmed...

STA, 12 May - The government eased several coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, including increasing the cap on gatherings to 50, and easing restrictions on hospitality, tourism, sports, culture and education. It also extended the state of Covid-19 epidemic by another 30 days from 17 May (ed. until 16 or 17 June – the report isn’t clear).

The cap on organised public events and public gatherings in- and outdoors will be raised from 10 to 50 starting on 15 May.

Exceptionally, more than 50 participants will be allowed under conditions prescribed by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) and on its prior approval.

Moreover, several decrees have been changed to allow cultural, sports and other events to reopen to 50% sitting capacity for visitors that have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid-19.

The 50% capacity limit will also apply to cinemas and churches, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs has told the STA.

A further easing is that it will be made possible again to interrupt the quarantine imposed on entry into country after five days with a negative PCR test.

Meanwhile, the allowed opening hours for hospitality establishments are being extended to between 5am and 10pm, from 7am-7pm in force now.

While indoor tables will still need to be three metres apart, the distance between people seated at the same table is no longer prescribed, the Economy Ministry said on its Twitter profile.

Moreover, the four-per-table rule will no longer apply to families with children up to the age of 18.

The one-customer-per-20-sq-metres rule will no longer apply to children up to the age of 18 when accompanied by a parent or carer or for persons that need to be accompanied.

Campsites will be allowed to open up to 70% of available units, up from 30 units currently.

Casinos and gaming parlours are also being allowed to reopen between 5am and 10pm for visitors who can produce a proof of vaccination, negative test or recovery from Covid-19. Gaming parlours can be open to up to 50% capacity.

Easing will also benefit education, as secondary schools will be allowed to reopen next week for all pupils, who will no longer need to alternate between in-person and remote schooling.

Moreover, university students will be able to attend lectures in person from Monday, the Education Ministry has announced.

Face masks remain mandatory except for physical education classes. So remains weekly testing in force for staff, except for those who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

The relaxation comes after Slovenia entered yellow tier of infections as Covid-19 hospitalisations fell below 500 and the 7-day average of new infections below 600.

However, the government extended the Covid-19 epidemic until 16 June [ed. we assume, but could be 17] as all the country's statistical regions continue to have incidence of cases above the prescribed threshold for the epidemic.

The government declared the epidemic for a second time on 19 October and has been extending it since by 30 days each time. In the first wave the epidemic was in force for 80 days, from 12 March to 31 May.

The conditions for the epidemic include the 14-day cumulative incidence per 100,000 residents above 104. It is currently at 423, according to data from the National Institute of Public Health.

Covid-19 hospitalisations and intensive care cases are also above the thresholds of 250 and 50, at 463 and 127, respectively.

The government today also changed the list of high-risk red countries by removing Slovakia, Israel and St Vincent and Grenadine, while adding Sudan. The changes, which also affect parts of Denmark, France, Greece, Norway and Spain, take effect on 15 May.

STA, 12 May 2021 - Slovenia has confirmed a case of the coronavirus first detected in India, follows from the GISAID portal, which provides open-access to genomic data of influenza viruses and the novel coronavirus.

According to the portal, the Indian variant was confirmed by the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology (IMI) at the Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine in a sample taken on 20 April.

IMI head Miroslav Petrovec told the STA the Indian variant had been confirmed in one of the sequences deposited with the institute. The sample belonged to a person who tested positive on 20 April having returned from India.

The institute confirmed the Indian variant after back analysing all Slovenian samples again after updating on 11 May the algorithm to sequence the variants according to official Pango lineages as the B.1.617.2 variant was declared a new worrying genetic mutation.

In the latest screening of 576 samples taken between 26 April and 2 May the Indian variant was not confirmed, while the UK variant was confirmed in 90% of the samples.

Meanwhile, no new cases of the variants first detected in Brazil, South Africa or Nigeria were confirmed, nor the variant spread most widely in the French overseas department of Mayotte.

Nor have the California or New York variants been confirmed in Slovenia so far.

Between 24 February and 4 May the IMI, in cooperation with the National Institute of Public Health, sequenced 147 genomes of coronavirus from samples taken from vaccinated persons.

84 got infected more than two weeks after receiving the second BioNTech/Pfizer jab, and three after getting the second Moderna jab, while 60 caught the virus more than three weeks after receiving one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The genetic variants with the vaccinated persons were those that are frequent in Slovenia and in about same proportions as they appear generally in the population.

Maja Rupnik of the National Laboratory of Health, Environment, and Food said that given data from the UK, the Indian variant is similarly virulent as the UK variant and did not cause any worse symptoms.

She said he data available so far indicated the Indian variant was not as changed that the antibodies developed after catching Covid-19 or getting vaccinated would not work against the variant.

The labs sequencing genomes of the novel coronavirus enter their data into the GISAID database, a global scientific initiative that promotes rapid sharing of data from all influenza viruses and the coronavirus causing Covid-19.

The latest situation on coronavirus variants in Slovenia is to be presented at Thursday's Covid-19 press briefing.

The World Health Organisation has said that the Indian variant B.1.617 is more transmissible and thus cause for concern.

STA, 12 May 2021 - The Health Ministry and the National Institute for Public Health (NIJZ) told the STA on Wednesday that the vaccination of children and adolescents in Slovenia would start when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gives its approval.

"We are currently waiting for the EMA's opinion on whether the vaccine is suitable for the age group of over 12 years. Once this is approved, we will start to promote vaccination in primary and secondary schools as well," said Mateja Logar, head of the ministry's advisory group on Covid-19.

On Monday, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for teenagers aged 12 to 15 years. This is the first vaccine in the US to be licensed for this age group.

EMA executive director Emer Cooke told several European newspapers on Tuesday that Pfizer's vaccine could be approved for the 12-15 age group in the EU later this month, although initially this was expected by June. She said that they were still waiting for data from a clinical study carried out in Canada.

STA, 11 May 2021 - Three-quarters of respondents in a survey supported by the pollster Valicon and the Covid-19 tracker community are somewhat worried about the epidemic, but almost half are still unwilling to be vaccinated. The main reason for people's reluctance to be vaccinated is fear of possible side effects.

The survey was carried out by three Slovenian researchers in collaboration with a team of Polish, Hungarian and Romanian researchers. The key findings for Slovenia were published on the Covid-19 tracker's website.

Almost 37% of respondents say they will be vaccinated against Covid-19 if the vaccine is available and recommended, while 47% say they will not, and 16% are undecided.

Out of those who do not want to be vaccinated, more than 80% says this is because they are "at least somewhat" concerned about the unknown side effects of vaccines.

Almost as many think that vaccination may cause issues that may not yet have been detected, while about two-thirds believe that vaccines can cause unforeseen problems in children.

Almost two-thirds think that vaccines bring large profits to pharmaceutical companies while having no positive effects on ordinary people, and that authorities promote vaccination for profit rather than people's health.

Just over 50% agree with the claim that there is much deception related to the vaccination programmes.

Only a quarter of the vaccinated participants agree that they feel safe after the vaccination, while a third confirmed that they feel protected. Just over a third believe that vaccines will stop serious infectious diseases.

When asked to rate their vaccine preferences, over two-thirds chose the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, two-thirds chose Moderna, followed by Sputnik with 57% and J&J with 52%, while only 31% chose AstraZeneca.

Concerns about possible side-effects is a major discouraging factor for more than 80% of respondents, while over 75% are concerned about vaccine safety. For two-thirds of respondents, the main concern is that the vaccine is new and they would like to see how vaccines work in other people first.

Just over 60% of respondents said they did not trust the government to ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, while just over half believe that the vaccine will not work.

The data was collected between 16 and 23 April among 1,042 participants.