Slovakia: Border restrictions with Poland to be lifted from June 20 /update 9

Event

The Slovak government has announced that border restrictions with Poland, introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, will be lifted on Saturday, June 20. From Saturday, Polish citizens may enter Slovakia, and vice versa, without the requirement to produce a negative COVID-19 test or a two-week quarantine upon return. Nevertheless, Slovak authorities have advised citizens against travel to Silesian Voivodeship due to the high number of local COVID-19 cases. The Slovak government had previously reached similar arrangements with Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

From Saturday, temperature checks will no longer be required for entering public buildings or other public areas. Authorities also announced an end to the ban on shops opening on Sundays. Prime Minister Igor Matovic also announced that gatherings of over 1000 would also be permitted from July.

Following the phased lifting of restrictions, most non-essential retail services, restaurants, sports, and leisure facilities have reopened with social distancing and hygiene measures in place. Local public transport has also resumed in some areas. The wearing of facemasks in outdoor public areas is no longer required; however, they remain mandatory in indoor public areas.

As of Friday, June 19, authorities have confirmed 1525 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 28 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.