Slovakia: Authorities begin nationwide COVID-19 testing program from October 31-November 1 /update 16

Event

Slovak authorities have begun a nationwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing program from Saturday-Sunday, October 31-November 1, which plans to screen for the virus for the entire population of 5.4 million people. Thousands of medical workers, military, and police have been deployed to collect swabs at around 5,000 testing areas throughout the country. The tests to be administered are rapid-antigen which health officials say will give results in minutes. Participation in the program is not mandatory, although anyone testing positive will be required to immediately quarantine for ten days. Full information on the testing program can be found here.

Additionally, a partial nationwide lockdown has been extended until November 8. Under the lockdown, most schools will remain closed and people will still be required to stay at home, with the exception of going to work and essential purposes such as shopping. They also announced an addition to the exemptions, with any individual presenting a negative test able to operate relatively freely; further details pertinent to this exception to be released.

On October 13, public gatherings were limited to a maximum of six people. Face masks remain mandatory in all outdoor spaces, mass events are banned, drinking and eating indoors at restaurants, cafes, and bars is restricted, and shopping centers and shops must operate at a reduced capacity. Takeaways and outdoor dining is still permitted. People that violate the new restrictions may be fined. The Slovak government previously declared a state of emergency for 45 days starting October 1, due to an increase in cases of COVID-19. The emergency allows the government more powers to implement stricter measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Limited international commercial flights have resumed, however, passengers arriving in the country are required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR or serology test result taken within the past 72 hours prior to arrival.

As of October 31, authorities have confirmed 57,664 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 219 associated fatalities. 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.