Slovakia: Authorities tighten COVID-19-related domestic measures from Nov. 22 /update 40

Event

Slovakia tightens COVID-19-related domestic measures from Nov. 22; international entry rules remain in place.

Domestic Restrictions

Starting Nov. 22, only vaccinated people will be allowed to public events and indoor venues such as restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops, and shopping malls. Unvaccinated workers will have to be tested twice a week. Vaccinated people and those who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past six months will be exempted from the measures. In most affected areas, restaurants will only serve takeaway,s and facilities such as gyms will be closed. The new measures are expected to last at least three weeks, until Dec. 13.

Most businesses and services have resumed operation subject to hygiene and social distancing requirements. Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces nationwide and outdoors in areas with higher infection rates.

International Entry Restrictions
Nonessential travel is permitted for travelers from any location who have undergone a full course of vaccination with a European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine, as well as from a Schengen Area country and for residents of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, UAE, and Uruguay. Entry for individuals not meeting any of these conditions is restricted to essential purposes only.

All arrivals must fill out an online registration form before arrival indicating whether they are vaccinated against COVID-19; to access the form click here. Authorities consider a person fully vaccinated if they have received both doses of a two-dose vaccine between 14 days and 12 months ago, a single dose of a two-dose vaccine if administered between 14 days and 12 months ago, and within 180 days of the individual recovering from COVID-19, or a single-dose vaccine received between 21 days and 12 months ago.

All travelers arriving by air are additionally required to register online before arrival; to access the form, click here.

Fully vaccinated individuals able to present evidence of their vaccination are not required to self-isolate on arrival. Permitted unvaccinated individuals must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival. However, this can be ended early following a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken on day five of the isolation. Certain categories of essential travel are exempt from the isolation requirement if they can present a negative RT-PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. Cross-border commuters are exempt if they possess a negative RT-PCR test taken within the previous seven days.

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.

Resources

Government of Slovakia Coronavirus Website Traveler Registration Form
Electronic Passenger Search Form
World Health Organization