Slovakia: Authorities to ease COVID-19-related international entry restrictions effective Feb. 4 /update 44

Event

Authorities in Slovakia will ease international entry restrictions imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 as of Feb. 4. For travelers who are required to self-isolate on arrival, the isolation period is reduced from 10 to five days. Also, the additional restrictions applying to travel from several southern African nations will be removed.

Domestic Measures

Businesses and services are open subject to limits on operating hours and capacity. Proof of vaccination, recovery, or a recent negative test is required for access to most nonessential businesses and for use of long-distance public transport; some facilities are accessible to vaccinated or recovered individuals only. Gatherings of more than six people are prohibited. FFP2-standard facemasks are mandatory in all enclosed public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces.

International Travel 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 Bahrain, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, 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 six months ago, a single dose of a two-dose vaccine if administered between 14 days and six months ago, and within 180 days of the individual recovering from COVID-19, or a single-dose vaccine received between 21 days and six 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. From Feb. 4, permitted unvaccinated individuals must self-isolate for five days on arrival; prior to Feb. 4, the isolation period is 10 days. 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.

Until Feb. 4, any arrivals who have spent time in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe in the previous 14 days must isolate for 14 days on entry. Isolation can be ended early following negative results to PCR tests taken on days one and eight of isolation.

For regularly updated information regarding entry restrictions, click here.

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