Slovenia: Authorities to modify COVID-19 PCR test requirement for international entry from May 5 /update 34

Slovenia to modify COVID-19 test requirements for international entry May 5; domestic restrictions remain in effect.

Event

Authorities in Slovenia plan to modify certain COVID-19-related international entry requirements. Starting May 5, authorities will allow travelers to present negative results from COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests issued in Serbia and Turkey upon arrival; the government in Ljubljana had previously approved the use of PCR test results issued by Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel, and Russia. Until April 25, authorities only recognized PCR tests performed in an EU member state or a Schengen Area country, the UK, or the US.

All travelers arriving from countries on the government's ''Red List'' of high-risk locations must produce one of the three following documents to enter Slovenia:

Proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within the previous 48 hours before arrival;
A positive PCR test result issued more than 21 days but less than six months ago;
Or proof of COVID-19 vaccination showing that at least seven days have passed since receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; or at least 14 days since receiving the first dose of the Janssen vaccine, or second dose of the Moderna, Sputnik V, or Sinopharm vaccines; or 21 days since receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca, Covishield, or Vaxzevria vaccine.

Travelers from Red List countries who are unable to meet this requirement must self-isolate for 10 days. Commercial truckers, persons in transit, and diplomats are exempt. Nonessential travel from non-EU/Schengen Area countries remains prohibited. Individuals arriving from countries not on the Red List may enter without restrictions. For a full list of countries on the Red List, click here.

Cross-border commuters arriving from countries on the Red List are not required to self-isolate upon arrival, though they must be in possession of a negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test result taken within the previous seven days before arrival and may not remain in Slovenia for more than 14 hours.

Domestic restrictions
Authorities are also maintaining certain domestic COVID-19 restrictions. Restaurants and other catering establishments may operate their outdoor spaces in orange regions and both outdoor and indoor spaces in yellow regions. Gatherings are limited to up to 10 people from different households. As of May 3, Obalno-Kraska, Goriska, Koroska, Osrednjeslovenska, and Pomurska regions are classified as yellow while the rest of the country is classified orange.

Protective face masks must be worn in all enclosed public spaces, on public transport, and in open areas where a distance of 1.5 meters (5 feet) cannot be maintained. Most nonessential businesses are open.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.