Slovenia: Authorities introduce new COVID-19 measures October 16 /update 13

Event

Slovenian authorities have introduced a traffic light system to determine which coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures should be implemented in which regions, effective as of Friday, October 16. The red, amber, and green ratings are determined by the number of cases per 100,000 over the previous 14 days, the number of hospitalized patients, and the number of patients in intensive care units. As of Friday, no regions are green, but seven of Slovenia's twelve statistical regions are rated as red, including Central Slovenia, Gorenjska, Koroška, Savinska, Posavska, Southeastern Slovenia, and Zasavska. Among the measures in place in red regions include no travel between regions, except for essential business, caring for close family members, or accessing essential services. Face masks must be worn in all public spaces at all times. Restaurants and bars are to close, as are gyms and sports facilities for recreational sports. Measures in place in red regions are in addition to measures in place in amber regions, which include public and private gatherings being limited to 10 people, with some exceptions for organized public events. Cafes, bars, and restaurants will only be allowed to operate between 06:00 and 22:00 (local time).

Face coverings are mandatory nationwide in all indoor public areas, on public transport, and in busy public outdoor spaces such as high streets, where maintaining social distance is not possible. 

As of Sunday, October 18, there have been 13,142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Slovenia with 188 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in 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 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 COVID-19 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.