Ljubljana related
STA, 17 March 2020 - Boxmark Leather, the Kidričevo-based maker of car upholstery, plans to launch production of protective face masks for Slovenia next week. CEO Marjan Trobiš told the STA on Tuesday the launch of production depended mainly on the supply of material, the machines are ready.
"At the moment, the demand is the highest for masks, since there are thousands of people who need to wear them for protection and self-protection at work. Every country is protecting its interests and does not allow exports of these products, so we decided to help our country," Trobiš said.
Boxmark will produce the masks for the state only, not for the market, he added.
The company plans to use all the material that will be delivered but Trobiš could not tell how many masks that meant.
In the coming days, a large part of other production lines, for textile, and automotive and aviation industries, will grind to a halt, so all resources will be used to make protective gear for the state.
The company has introduced several protective measures during the coronavirus epidemics. It has reduced its production capacity by some 30%. The most vulnerable groups of workers, including the elderly, those with chronic conditions and mothers of small children were temporarily sent home.
"The safety of the people comes first, so we will step up the measures this week and send more people home. Thus we will maintain sustainable production, but if supply chains do not allow us to work we will systematically cease operations," he said.
Companies with hundreds of employees cannot close overnight, Torobiš said, noting that preparations for the epidemic had been under way at the company for a month so as to be able to stay in business after the epidemic.
Boxmark, which is in foreign ownership, announced restructuring at the beginning of the year, with measures affecting 900 employees. Recently more than 200 workers were made redundant and more redundancies were planned by the end of April, when the process was expected to wrap up.
All our coronavirus stories are here
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
Austria, Croatia closing small crossings on Slovenia border
STA, 17 March 2020 - Austria and Croatia have announced they would temporarily close dozens of small crossings on the border with Slovenia to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Major crossings remain open.
As of midnight Tuesday, crossings to and from Austria will only be allowed at the major crossings Karavanke, Šentilj, Gornja Radgona and Ljubelj, and the smaller border posts Kuzma, Jurij, Trate, Radelj, Gederovci, Korensko Sedlo, Holmec and Vič.
The news was announced on Twitter today by Austrian Ambassador to Slovenia Sigrid Berka.
Croatia said today that 27 local border crossings with Slovenia would be closed. Interior Minister Davor Božinović told the press the closures would probably be implemented in the course of today.
Slovenia's border with Croatia is the external border of the Schengen zone. The local border crossings subject to the closure are open only to EU citizens but are mainly used by locals.
The international border crossings with Croatia - there are 32 according to police data - remain open.
Many Slovenians still stranded abroad, new evacuation flights planned
STA, 17 March 2020 - Around 90 Slovenian citizens have so far requested consular help unable to return home due to border closures. The government is planning additional evacuation flights after successfully organising a special flight from Moscow Tuesday morning, Andrej Šter, the head of the Foreign Ministry's consular service, told Radio Slovenija.
In addition to the 90 who have contacted consular services, Šter said at least twice as many are probably still stranded abroad.
An Aeroflot aircraft with Slovenian citizens aboard left Moscow this morning and talks are now under way for a special evacuation flight from Morocco, where many European citizens, Slovenians included, have been stranded.
The Foreign Ministry advised against all travel abroad several days ago and it has advised all those still abroad to stay put lest they get stranded in transit.
Those travelling through Madrid, a major hub for flights to South America, are particularly at risk since the Spanish capital will probably soon be placed under quarantine, Šter said.
Slovenia shut down all air traffic except emergency and evacuation flights as of Tuesday and Šter says air transport throughout Europe will be suspended no later than in two days.
Zagreb is among the last airports to remain open and those who land there will almost certainly be able to enter Slovenia, he said.
Slovenia gave just two days advance warning of the closure of air traffic and has been criticised for not giving people enough time to make arrangements for return flights. There have been several cases reported on social media of travellers wanting to return home based on the government's appeal to return but being unable to book flights.
Šter dismissed the criticism saying that the Foreign Ministry had urged all citizens as far back as the end of February to refrain from travelling abroad except in the event of emergency, while those already abroad had been urged to return.
National Security Council meeting over Covid-19 as flight ban in force
STA, 17 March 2020 - The National Security council is meeting in the broadest ever format on Tuesday to discuss the coronavirus crisis and potential new measures, as a ban on passenger flights came into force in Slovenia at midnight.
Prime Minister Janez Janša as the council chair has invited President Borut Pahor, speakers of both houses of parliament, heads of opposition parties and the two minority MPs to join the meeting.
The government adopted a decree on Monday under which the National Security Council is transformed during war time or a state of emergency into a National Operational Defence Headquarters in line with the defence act.
Jelko Kacin, the spokesman for the government coronavirus crisis unit, told TV Slovenija last night that the National Security Council was meeting in the broadest format ever, in order to "speak with one voice", before they talk to Europe.
Janša will join other EU leaders for a videoconference today to discuss measures to be taken at EU level to curb the spread of coronavirus.
By 2pm Monday, 253 coronavirus cases had been confirmed Slovenia. Three of the patients were in intensive care, with more such cases expected in the coming days.
Slovenia has already adopted sweeping restrictions to contain the coronavirus epidemic, including closure of schools and most shops, as well as bars, restaurants and similar establishments. Public transportation has been suspended.
As of midnight, passenger flights in Slovenia have been banned. The ban on air traffic within the EU will be in force until the end of the month, while flight connections with non-EU members are suspended until further notice.
The ban does not apply to aircraft transporting cargo or mail, aircraft conducting special transport without passengers or ferry flights. Foreign planes or helicopters on humanitarian or health missions are also exempted.
Talks reportedly under way to use tocilizumab drug in Slovenia
STA, 17 March 2020 - Pharmaceutical company Roche has confirmed that talks are under way in Slovenia on the use of tocilizumab, an immunosuppressive drug used to treat pneumonia in coronavirus patients, the newspaper Delo reported.
"We are in talks with the local regulator, health institutions and doctors about the possibility to secure the tocilizumab drug for Slovenian patients who need it," Delo quoted Roche as saying.
The company stressed that there was currently no solid evidence from clinical trials about the safety and efficacy of the drug in the treatment of covid-19. No medical authority has approved the medicine for this indication yet, Roche added.
The drug is principally used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
In the first two covid-19 patients treated with tocilizumab, significant improvement was detected within 24 hours.
Rheumatologist and the chair of the rheumatology unit at the UKC Ljubljana hospital, Matija Tomšič, noted that the new coronavirus triggered a cytokine release syndrome, a form of systemic inflammatory response.
Cytokines are small molecules that are produced in communication between cells. Tocilizumab captures these molecules and thus prevents lung inflammation.
According to Delo, the drug is currently being tested on 50 covid-19 patients in Italy, after Chinese doctors reported of its efficacy.
According to some doctors, the advantage of the drug is that it had been used for a while, so it is considered safe to use.
Similarly, remdesivir, a drug used as a treatment for Ebola virus disease, is being used in Italy as an experimental drug therapy for covid-19 based on WHO recommendations.
There’s a petition going around to encourage the government to provide help for the self-employed, and specifically those making less than €20,000 a year, and those making less than the minimum salary. It’s easy to sign, has drawn a lot of attention and may already be having an effect. As of last night (16 March) the news was “the Economy Ministry is preparing measures to help self-employed affected by the coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia as part of a bill to subsidy pay of temporarily laid-off employees. Social security contributions payments for sole proprietors are to be deferred” – with the full story here.
So things look good, but if you think this is a worthwhile initiative then why not add to the pressure by clicking here and adding your name. The accompanying text is in Slovene, but plays well with Google Translate, as seen below:
There are more than 100,000 self-employed in Slovenia, which is more than 12% of the working population. With the crippling public life and economic downturn, many of them have already been hit hard by the coronavirus epidemic, as they have lost their jobs, which will also cause them difficulties in settling compulsory social security contributions.
We appeal to the Government to take immediate action with two forms of assistance from 1 March 2020 until the official declaration of the end of the epidemic and the restoration of public, economic and cultural life.
1. Exemption from the payment of compulsory social security contributions
Self-employed persons should be exempt from compulsory social security contributions in the amount of the statutory minimum.
For the criterion, we propose that those who earn less than € 20,000 throughout 2020 should be eligible for the exemption from payment of minimum social security contributions. Those who earn more will pay back the income tax return.
2. Assist those who have suddenly lost their jobs
Some self-employed people are left without a means of survival and need help.
For the criterion, we suggest: if they earned less than the net minimum wage last month, the state should provide them with assistance in the form of coverage of this difference.
Wishing you all, both the government and the healthcare system and society, to successfully tackle the threat of danger, and to bring people together in support, compassion and cooperation, we welcome you.
Again, you can add you name here
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
Update: Croatia said Slovenians will be turned back on the Croatian border or sent into 14-day self-isolation in Croatia, BUT ONLY if they come from the border regions of Bela Krajina or Dolenjska.MOT tests and car registration suspended
Telecoms take the strain of working from home
Passenger flight ban in force as of midnight
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government has issued a decree banning passenger flights in Slovenia as of 12pm on Monday because of the spread of the new coronavirus. Air traffic will be suspended throughout the EU by the end of the month, while flight connections with non-EU members are suspended until further notice.
According to the Infrastructure Ministry, the ban does not apply to aircraft transporting cargo or mail, aircraft conducting special transport without passengers or ferry flights.
Neither does the ban apply to foreign planes or helicopters on humanitarian or health missions.
Any other exemptions must be approved by the infrastructure or foreign ministries.
"There's no point in keeping up air passenger traffic any longer, it's not leading anywhere. We have to get absolutely serious and behave as befits the situation. We are first next to Italy," Jelko Kacin, spokesman for the government's coronavirus crisis unit, said in a televised interview.
Passenger air transport is being shut down throughout Europe as a result of which many Slovenian passengers are stranded at airports abroad.
Asked how many of those passengers, Kacin, speaking to the public broadcaster TV Slovenija said that they were too many. "We don't know yet how they will return home."
Russia has offered to bring Slovenian tourists from Russia home free as their aircraft pick up Russian tourists in Slovenia.
However, a group of Slovenians flying in from afar to a nearby airport today were unable to disembark and were flown back to the Middle East. "This may happen to anyone who fails to take the situation into consideration," Kacin warned.
"The EU will be closing at its external borders, in the air, there will be no more scheduled flights, just exceptional transports. Those will be agreed through diplomatic channels. It's not charter flights, it's just rescue operations," said Kacin.
Earlier, Radio Slovenija reported that the Foreign Ministry had managed to agree with Serbia to let Slovenian passengers who flew in Belgrade from Dubai to continue their journey home by car after initially ordering them to return to Dubai.
Govt to help self-employed hit by coronavirus
STA, 16 March 2020 - The Economy Ministry is preparing measures to help self-employed affected by the coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia as part of a bill to subsidy pay of temporarily laid-off employees. Social security contributions payments for sole proprietors are to be deferred.
The measure is to be included in the bill that had been tabled by the previous government and is to be passed at an emergency session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The amendments are being currently drawn up, the ministry told the STA on Monday. Moreover, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said today that the ministry "wants to help the self-employed as much as the others. We're talking about an emergency bill which would refund 40% of wages".
He also mentioned a possibility of implementing a measure to defer bank liabilities payment for at least six months for the entire economy.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry is also coming up with solutions to mitigate the situation, proposing extending the deadlines for submitting forms and other documentation to the Financial Administration and the Agency for Public Legal Services (AJPES), and deferring payments of certain financial obligations.
A series of calls for mitigating the coronavirus ramifications experienced by the self-employed have been heard since last week, with the Chamber of Craft and Small Business (OZS) urging the authorities to protect such precarious workers.
The chamber has been critical of the emergency bill since it did not envisage a stimulus package for the self-employed from the get-go.
However, the Labour Ministry, which had drawn up the bill, insisted that mitigation measures for the self-employed were within the jurisdiction of the Economy Ministry.
Meanwhile, calls for measures helping the self-employed during the time of the epidemic have been mounting, most notably on the social media where a petition urging the government not only to defer social security contributions payment but also assist self-employed workers left without any work has been signed by more than 6,000 people.
NGOs are also pointing to the precarious situation of all those working in atypical employment arrangements, particularly those employed in culture, education and tourism, calling on the government to provide basic social security and workers' rights for them.
There are more than 100,000 self-employed in Slovenia (some 68,000 working in the economy), over 12% of the country's active population.
Banks shortening opening hours, insurance offices closed
STA, 16 March 2020 - A majority of banks and savings banks in Slovenia have announced shorter opening hours as the nation is in the lockdown mode to contain the spread of coronavirus. Insurance companies meanwhile closed their offices today, and started to provide their most frequently-sought services solely by phone or on-line.
NLB, the country's largest bank, said on Monday that its offices in Slovenia would operate under a shortened schedule, from 8:30am and 1pm, as of Tuesday.
The exceptions are the office in the UKC Ljubljana hospital, which has been closed until further notice, and the office in the E.Leclerc shopping mall in Ljubljana's south-eastern borough of Rudnik, which will be open between 9am and 1pm.
Slovenia's second largest bank NKBM is switching to the same opening hours, except for the offices in the Europark shopping mall in Maribor and an office in Ptuj, which will be open between 10am and 2:30pm Monday through Friday.
All specialised NKBM counters at post offices around the country will be closed until further notice, the bank said.
The offices of the Kranj-based Gorenjska Banka will be open from Monday to Friday between 8am and noon, but some of the offices will be temporarily closed, the bank announced.
It added that clients would be able to pay their bills without commission at the bank's most visited ATMs.
Both banks have advised their clients to use debit and credit card and their on-line and mobile banking services. Changes to the policy will be updated regularly on the banks' websites.
The Bank Association said that, as some shopping centres and bank offices in them could be closed in the future, banks and savings banks would, regardless of possible gradual closure of their offices, secure regional coverage.
The association added that operations would be switched to on-line and mobile banking to the greatest possible extent, noting that a majority of services could be provided without clients visiting a bank in person.
"In order to limit the transmission of infections with the coronavirus, handling of cash should also be limited," it said.
Insurance companies meanwhile closed their offices today and switched to electronic and telecommunication channels to service their clients.
Zavarovalnica Triglav, Generali and Zavarovalnica Sava said clients would be able to conclude or extend insurance policies and file damage claims remotely.
Companies adapting to new reality, unions want govt restrictions
STA, 16 March 2020 - Companies in Slovenia are adapting to life in the country and beyond almost grinding to a halt. Some have closed shop, while some have adopted safety measures but continue with operations. To the dismay of trade unions, the latter category also includes providers of non-essential products who cannot secure safety.
Slovenia's largest exporter, Renault's Novo Mesto-based assembly plant Revoz continued with the morning shift normally today. While it has some problems with supply, Revoz said the biggest issue was getting enough workers to work in the face of the public transportation shutdown.
The company, which has a 3,400-strong workforce, said it had introduced a number of safety measures and was expanding them. Workers are for instance required to keep a distance, the lunch serving period has been extended, meetings, training and business trips mostly cancelled.
The Chinese-owned household appliance maker Gorenje is also continuing with normal production, albeit with extensive security measure in place, including thermovision cameras. Around 200 workers, about 5% of the workforce, stayed home, mostly to provide childcare.
Hauliers are also feeling the crisis, but Luka Slokar of Slo-car has for instance told the STA that 40 of its 45 truck drivers are currently on the road. All have been provided with protective equipment and are currently able to cross borders, albeit more slowly than usually.
Things are running at full steam at Mlinotest, the Ajdovščina-based bread and pasta company, although a part of the production staff has been sent home to be ready to step in in case those currently working fall ill and thus at least secure the production of basic foods, such as flour and bread. Supply routes remain stable.
Aluminium producers, such as Talum and Impol, are also continuing with production. A case of coronovirus infection has been reported at Talum and everybody potentially affected has been isolated. The company, stressing its production is of systemic importance, has limited operations to the minimum to preserve essential output.
Work is continuing normally at Škofja Loka-based Knauf Insulation, the Slovenian subsidiary of the multinational Knauf. Part of the workforce is working from home, while various measures were introduced for the rest to avoid close contact.
Production has been suspended for a week at shoe maker Alpina, but the company plans to start operating again in a limited fashion next week. Director Jernej Osterman said adjustments would be made and that health remained a high priority. He acknowledged that close contact could not be avoided in production.
On the other hand, a number of major companies have halted production, among them household appliance maker BSH Hišni Aparati and sports equipment manufacturer Elan.
Meanwhile, upset that not all companies and sectors that are not essential in the crisis have stopped or limited production in a way that would provide safety, the ZSSS trade union confederation called on the government today to force them to do so.
"Workers, in particular those who do not see any rational reason to continue going to work, are scared, conflicted, they feel inferior, devalued. They feel the state and employers are exposing them to danger, that all that is constantly preached in the media does not apply to them," ZSSS head Lidija Jerkič wrote.
"The message that they understand it that all the words notwithstanding, capital is put before people. As always," Jerkič added.
MOT tests and car registration suspended
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government has issued a decree suspending annual vehicle roadworthiness tests and other procedures associated with registration of motor vehicles as part of measures to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.
The decree, passed at today's correspondence session, will step into effect on Tuesday and will be valid until 16 April.
The validity of vehicle registration certificates, including vehicle insurance and ADR certificates for transport of hazardous goods, that would expire by 16 April, is being extended to 16 May.
Meanwhile, the Slovenian Automobile Association (AMZS) closed its repair shops for retail clients until further notice, which means winter tyre replacement there will not be possible.
Until further notice, the AMZS will conduct vehicle damage assessment only remotely.
Mobile operators report disruption as virus lockdown starts
STA, 16 March 2020 - As lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak have entered into force, telecommunications companies report a high increase in traffic in voice, data and video services, resulting in some disruption, mostly in inter-operator communication.
Announcing the difficulties, the telecoms incumbent Telekom Slovenije said on Monday that the ongoing situation was a challenge for ICT experts.
The largest telecommunications operator in the country noted that in recent days, the traffic of voice, data and video services had increased by more than 50% compared to normal traffic.
It added that inter-operator connections were facing heavy burden, while communication within the operator's network was running smoothly.
T-2 also reports an increase in voice and mobile data traffic, resulting in occasional disturbances in calls at peak hours, especially if their users are hosted by the Telekom Slovenije network.
The company has thus called on the telecoms incumbent to solve the problems by increasing and upgrading the capacity of the connection between T-2 and Telekom Slovenije. This would enable undisturbed functioning of mobile services, it added.
T-2 has advised its users to use fixed telephony, which it says functions fine.
A heavy increase in mobile and fixed telephony traffic is also reported by A1, which said some difficulties were experienced in certain services, but no major disturbances were detected.
All three operators, as well as Telemach, have expanded their cable TV packages free of charge as people are urged to stay at home to contribute to the containment of coronavirus.
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
Shops limiting opening hours, urging online shopping
Calls growing for measures supporting the self-employed
Govt proposes one-month suspension of prison sentences over virus
Slovenia's number of coronavirus cases at 253
STA, 16 March 2020 - Slovenia registered 253 confirmed coronavirus cases by 2pm Monday, an increase of 34 over the past 24 hours. A total of 6,712 tests have been taken, fresh data posted on the government website shows.
The fresh statistics come as public life in the country has ground to a halt with further measures in the pipeline to slow down the spread of new infections.
All education institutions and most shops have been closed, and public transportation suspended. A ban has been imposed on any form organised childcare.
As of midnight, all passenger flights are being banned as well.
The National Security Council is expected to meet to take potential further measures.
Shops limiting opening hours and urging online shopping
STA, 16 March 2020 - Slovenian retailers are adjusting to the recent measures implemented to contain the coronavirus epidemic in the country by reducing their opening hours or even restricting the number of customers allowed inside a store at the same time. Moreover, they are encouraging shopping online.
Retailers Hofer, Lidl, Spar and Tuš have announced that their opening hours will be cut short as of Tuesday. Some of them are also planning to limit the number of customers allowed to shop at the same time to protect the shoppers as well as employees. The latter measure will be imposed in line with the government's guidelines.
Loading…
Hofer stores will be open from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to Saturday and between 8.30am and noon on Sundays until further notice.
The retailer has said that its supply chain is operating without any major disruption, adding that Hofer has been working on restocking after sales have increased in the past few days amid coronavirus concerns.
Meanwhile, Lidl stores will be open from 8.30am until 6pm Monday to Saturday and between 8.30am and noon on Sundays as of tomorrow. Today, Lidl shops will close at 6pm as well.
As of Tuesday, consumers will be able to shop at Interspar centres from 10am until 6pm Monday to Saturday and between 9am and 3pm on Sundays. Spar shops will be mostly open during the same business hours, with those generally open on Sundays operating between 8am and noon.
Tuš will reduce its store hours as well - Monday to Saturday between 9am and 6pm, and from 8am until noon on Sundays.
On the other hand, retailers Mercator and Jagr have decided not to change their opening hours due to the epidemic for now.
All retailers have called on the customers to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metre from people and follow all the related prevention steps, such as using hand sanitisers and protective gloves.
Shops are also urging their customers to shop online. However, cash payments are mostly not allowed, nor is in-store pick-up.
Most online retailers, such as Mimovrste and Moje-lece.si, are thus calling on their clients to pay online and get their purchase delivered to their home.
Postal services operator Pošta Slovenije will remain delivering packages and is calling on its customers to accept the items without any physical contact at pre-arranged spots.
GLS parcel service has also set up alternative ways of delivery, taking precautions such as outdoor delivery and keeping the 1.5 metre distance.
Calls mounting for measures supporting the self-employed
STA, 16 March 2020 - After moving quickly to provide a stimulus package for businesses the face of the coronavirus outbreak, the government is now facing increasing pressure to honour its announcement that help would also be extended to the self-employed and other precarious workers.
While a proposal is expected to be unveiled by the Economy Ministry later this week, key ideas being promulgated in different petitions include cancelling or deferring social security contributions for sole proprietors and providing aid to precarious workers making less than minimum wage.
The opposition Left proposed last Friday that the income threshold for cancellations of contributions for the self-employed be put at EUR 20,000 in 2020, a figure echoed today in a petition to the government signed by over 6,000 people.
The petition, which argues that 100,000 self-employed workers or 12% of the working population would be affected, proposes that the exemption become effective immediately and remain in place until the pandemic ends. Those exceeding the threshold at the end of the year would reimburse the budget.
One of the first to urge an expansion of the stimulus package to the self-employed was the Chamber of Craft and Small Business (OZS), which spoke of 68,000 self-employed persons last Wednesday and also proposed a lifting of social contribution payments.
Several NGOs specialising in labour rights raised their voice as well on the same day, highlighting the distress of culture and other workers mostly operating in atypical forms of employment.
The Mladi Plus youth trade union, which is part of the ZSSS confederation, pointed out today the government's proposal had "completely left out the public sector and everybody working in precarious labour arrangements.
Govt proposes one-month suspension of prison sentences over virus
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government has tabled a bill under which a one-month suspension of a prison sentence and an early release of prisoners up to six months before the end of their sentence would be possible as a means of containing the coronavirus outbreak.
The proposals are part of the bill on temporary coronavirus containment measures in judicial, administrative and other public legal matters, which the government wants to be fast-tracked in the National Assembly.
Under the bill filed on Monday, a prison director could, if this is required in order to prevent the epidemic from spreading and if there are no security concerns, suspend a prison sentence for one month. The suspension could be extended.
The bill also allows the prison director to release a prisoner up to six months before the end of their sentence for the same purpose, in line with the act governing prison sentences.
The article says that, based on expert opinion, the prison director may release early a prisoner who behaves appropriately, is diligent at work and actively participates in other useful activities, and who has served two-thirds of the sentence.
The government says that the main objective of the bill is to provide safer conditions to prisoners and prison staff.
It noted that, due to prisons being overcrowded, it was not possible to secure effective isolation of infected persons at all locations, which meant there was a high probability of a fast spread of the virus among prisoners and staff.
Under the bill, the government would also be able to impose other measures "needed to prevent the spread of the virus infection, protect the rights and legal benefits of persons, and ensure the undisturbed operation of administrative and other state bodies, local government bodies and holders of public powers who perform administrative tasks".
One such measure would be the freezing of deadlines in court matters and the possibility to interrogate a person via videoconference.
A judge could limit or temporarily, partially or fully prohibit the presence of the media and public in a trial. The public would be excluded from all procedures in administrative matters.
The justice minister would get the power to completely close all notary offices at the proposal of the Chamber of Notaries.
The measures would be in force until 1 July but could end earlier if needed.
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
Ban on sale of hand sanitisers, face masks lifted
GoOpti to suspend services in Slovenia
New restrictions in place to contain epidemic
STA, 16 March 2020 - Sweeping new restrictions entered into force at midnight to contain the coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia. Most shops will be closed, public transportation will not operate and schools will be closed.
The vast majority of retail establishments will remain closed along with shops providing services, such as hair salons, beauty parlours, restaurants and gyms.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, post offices, petrol stations, newsstands and stores selling agricultural products will be open.
The decree does not come with a time limit, it will remain in place until it is revoked.
The government also decided to indefinitely extend the previous government's two-week decree ordering the closure of all educational institutions.
Monday will also be the last day for aircraft movements as a ban on air traffic was announced for Tuesday.
Croatia limits entry ban to Slovenians from border region
STA, 16 March 2020 - After a back-and-forth on Sunday by Croatian authorities regarding whether Slovenia was on Croatia's list of coronavirus crisis countries, Croatia said on Sunday evening that Slovenians will be turned back on the Croatian border or sent into 14-day self-isolation in Croatia only if they come from the border region of Bela Krajina.
While the Croatian Foreign Ministry still said on Sunday afternoon the border measure applied for the whole of Slovenia, it later back-pedalled to name the restriction already in place before and applying only to passengers hailing from Bela Krajina.
Thus, those from Bela Krajina wishing to enter Croatia will be rejected by Croatian police in case they do not opt for a 14-day self-isolation at a Croatian address.
The same home quarantine applies for Croatians who go to work in Bela Krajina and decide to return home.
While Bela Krajina is not the only Slovenian region bordering on Croatia, it has been affected by coronavirus disproportionally.
As of Sunday, Slovenians are no longer allowed to enter Serbia. As an additional measure to contain the outbreak, a temporary ban has been issued by Serbian authorities for foreigners coming from Slovenia, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Greece and Switzerland.
Specialist registrars mobilised to help fight coronavirus
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government adopted a decree on Sunday suspending all doctors' specializations. Specialist registrars and interns, meaning doctors who have not obtained their licences yet, will be included in efforts to prevent, manage and deal with the coronavirus epidemic.
All their obligations concerning specialisation, including rotation and exams are suspended until further notice. During that time no new specialisations will start either.
Specialist registrars and interns will be deployed where their services will be required. They could be assigned to work at the health institutions where they worked as interns or any other post where they are needed.
Doctors who do not have their licences yet will be working with mentors assigned to them by their employer, the government said.
Ban on sale of protective equipment lifted
STA, 16 March 2020 - The government has lifted a ban on the sale of protective equipment that had been put in place last week to ensure a sufficient supply of face masks, sanitizer and protective suit for health and rescue personnel.
Under a decree that took effect on Sunday evening, the ban was revoked with immediate effect to prevent any problems occurring.
"Sales must be approved if we want to supply this protective equipment and to make sure work in this area runs smoothly," Health Minister Tomaž Gantar said after a meeting Sunday evening with hospital directors.
Face masks and hand sanitizer had been sold out for several days before the ban anyway and Gantar said if and when they are available again in pharmacies, people will be able to buy them.
GoOpti to suspend Slovenian services
As announced on the shuttle company’s website:
From March 16 all transfer within, to and from Slovenia, Croatia and Austria has been CANCELLED as well. New bookings will not be possible for these dates. Passengers will be reimbursed the cost of canceled transportation in the form of a discount code for future bookings. Passengers will be notified by SMS and e-mail.
STA, 15 March 2020 - Slovenia has put in place sweeping new measures effective at midnight on Sunday to contain the coronavirus epidemic as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 219 and one person died. Most shops will be closed, public transportation will not operate and schools will be closed until further notice.
The vast majority of retail establishments will close, but grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, post offices, petrol stations, newsstands and stores selling agricultural products will remain open.
Within 24 hours the National Institute of Public health will also issue recommendations about limits to the number of customers that may be in a shop at a given time.
The decree does not come with a time limit, it will remain in place until it is revoked.
The government also decided to indefinitely extend the previous government's two-week decree ordering the closure of all educational institutions.
The ban is near-complete with few exemptions, for example for special educational institutions providing care for persons with mental disabilities.
Students living in dormitories who cannot return home will be allowed to stay, as will foreign students who cannot return to their countries, student families, and visiting professors living in student housing.
The original plan was to organise daycare for children whose parents work in critical industries, but that has been cancelled now as well.
A decree has been adopted banning any sort of organised care given that children can be very important vectors of coronavirus transmission.
Instead, Prime Minister Janez Janša and Education Minister Simona Kustec issued an urgent appeal to people to help each other with home care.
"I'm asking all healthy youths who have time to help. Currently the only safe form of daycare is home care," Janša wrote on Twitter.
Travel will also be severely affected as Slovenia shuts down air traffic, much like most European countries have done or are planning to do.
The ban will take effect on Tuesday, giving travellers some time to make arrangements to leave the country or get back home, according to Jelko Kacin, spokesman for the government's crisis management unit.
The authorities are now looking into possibilities to help individual citizens who may be stranded abroad.
But travel has been hampered anyway by bans countries have been introducing to protect their citizens.
The Foreign Ministry announced that Slovenian citizens were no longer allowed by Serbian authorities to enter the country. Croatia started to reject Slovenians who do not opt for two-week self-isolation at an address in Croatia.
The Foreign Ministry has issued a travel alert advising all citizens against any travel whatsoever, after issuing special travel warnings for Italy, Serbia, Spain, Iran, South Korea, the US and China.
"On 12 March Slovenia declared an epidemic based on an increasing number of infections with the coronavirus. Slovenian citizens are advised against any travel!" the ministry said.
All our stories on coronavirus are here – shop responsibly and look out for older neighbours
You might be stuck at home for a while, with some time on your clean hands as work slows down, most likely with some concerns about a decline in income and the general economic outlook. In which case why not add to your skillset, make yourself more employable, and ensure a more integrated and secure future in Slovenia, by finally learning the language, getting it a level where it's self-sustaining and you can just watch TV, listen to the radio and enjoy OnaPlus.
Of course, the best place to start is probably the most comprehensive guide to resources for learning the language, over at Wandering Helene. It covers books, websites, apps and more, and seems to be regularly updated. Keep that page bookmarked and explore the links as your abilities and interest arise. What we can offer at TSN is around 120 dual texts, in relatively simple Slovene and with an English translation, to give you some support as you pick up words and phrases, useful chunks to apply to daily life. The texts come from Časoris - the award-winning online news website for children in Slovenia - and cover and all kinds of topics. We publish a new one every week, and you can find them here.
There's also a growing collection of videos, in Slovene with English subtitles, in our video section (here), and although you'll have to dig around to find those among the all-English ones you'll come across a lot of other Slovene-themed content that might be of interest.
STA, 15 March 2020 - The Foreign Ministry said on Twitter on Sunday that Slovenian citizens were no longer allowed by Serbian authorities to enter the country as a measure to contain the spreading of the new coronavirus. It had also been unofficially reported that the measure was implemented by Croatia, which was later denied by the Croatian authorities.
The Serbian authorities announced the measure on the government website. As an additional measure to contain the outbreak, a temporary ban has been issued for foreigners coming from Slovenia, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Greece and Switzerland.
The ministry said in a tweet that "Serbia no longer allows Slovenian citizens to enter Serbia. The temporary ban also applies to citizens of other countries where epidemic has been declared."
In another tweet, the ministry said that "according to the information we possess, Croatia is denying entry to Slovenian citizens." It added that Slovenian citizens who have residence in Croatia would be subject to two-week self-isolation upon entry to the country.
The ministry explained for the STA that the information had been received from the Slovenian police and the Slovenian ambassador in Croatia. It added that this was not official information.
Later in the day, the ministry tweeted that "according to the information from the Croatian authorities, a ban on entry of Slovenian citizens to Croatia is not in force."
All our stories on coronavirus are here
STA, 14 March 2020 - The government will gradually increase reserves of essential food commodities for emergency supply of the population during the coronavirus outbreak and is putting forward an emergency bill to intervene in agricultural markets.
The Slovenian food industry is being affected by market disruption and instability due to obstacles to the free movement of goods and services, capital and persons in the single EU market and third countries.
Presenting the measures in response to the situation on Saturday, Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec said that the situation was being monitored and responded to in accordance with disruption in food supplies.
"Projections and predictions are also being made in case of disruption due to restrictions on transport of food across various borders," she said.
Regardless of the high level of self-sufficiency for milk, meat and dairy and meat products, the government tasked the Commodity Reserves Institute to gradually increase reserves of UHT milk, milk powder, cheese, poultry and beef.
The government has also adopted a bill on emergency measures in the market of agricultural produce, food, livestock and poultry markets and wood, submitting it to parliament for passage in an emergency procedure.
"The idea is to create the possibility to place restrictions on trade in agricultural produce, food products and livestock and poultry to ensure sufficient food supplies in the country," said the minister.
The act would allow the minister, in consent with the economy minister, to impose restrictions or bans on exports or imports of individual products or groups of products to or from other countries.
The act would also give the minister the power to cap prices of certain foodstuffs.
On the proposal of mayors, the Agriculture Ministry would also be able to appoint interim administrator of a farm if the farmers or employees on the farm were unable to work due to the effects of coronavirus.
The bill moreover provides for creation of temporary storage facilities in case of a surplus of goods due to disruption in exports in existing warehouses.
The minister would also get the power to impose restrictions and bans on imports of wood, wood chips and pellets from other countries, a measure to that Pivec said was meant to prevent import of coronavirus infections.
Army erecting field hospital in Ljubljana to serve as isolation centre
STA, 14 March 2020 - The Slovenian army started preparations Saturday to erect a field hospital at the Edvard Peperko Barracks on the outskirts of Ljubljana. In the event hospital wards are flooded with coronavirus patients, the unit would serve as an isolation centre for up to 120 people.
Brigadier General Robert Glavaš, the acting chief of the general staff, said the army's main field hospital, Role 2, would be relocated from Maribor and erected in Ljubljana within about three days. He expects the job to be completed and the isolation unit operational by Tuesday morning at the latest.
Defence Minister Matej Tonin said the government's crisis response task force had decided to activate the army with the aim of securing additional capacities in the event they are needed. The isolation unit would be able to accommodate 40 patients with severe symptoms and 80 with milder symptoms.
"If it turns out that these mobile units are inadequate, we're considering repurposing the gym at this location to admit more patients," he said.
Slovenia had 181 confirmed cases of coronavirus by 2pm on Saturday. The government has decided to now shift the focus from detecting infections to providing for the most severe cases, which are expected to jump significantly within about a week given the current infection trends.
All our stories on coronavirus are here
