Slovakia: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 measures nationwide from Dec. 19 /update 21

Slovakia to close nonessential businesses Dec. 19-Jan. 10, 2021 to stem COVID-19 infections. International travel restrictions remain.

Event

Authorities in Slovakia have ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses nationwide, effective 0500 Dec. 19. The measures were initially set to expire Jan. 4, but health officials have now provisionally extended the measures until Jan. 10. Pharmacies, grocery stores, post offices, financial service providers, and other essential facilities will remain open. Residents may only leave their homes to perform essential tasks, such as traveling to essential employment, grocery shopping, or seeking medical attention. Each household may create a contact bubble with one other household for visits and recreational trips.

Authorities previously tightened domestic restrictions Dec. 14. Visitors to the country's winter resorts must produce COVID-19 test results no more than 72 hours old in order to use cable cars and stay at resort hotels. Additionally, companies with 500 or more employees will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing from Dec. 28; further details regarding the testing regime will be announced in the coming days.

A state of emergency remains in effect until at least Dec. 29, but is likely to be extended; associated restrictions include:

Public gatherings are limited to six people.
Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces, including public transport, as well as outdoor public places where social distancing is not possible.
Swimming pools, fitness centers, and cultural performance venues, including cinemas and theaters, remain closed.

Slovakia continues to maintain international entry restrictions as part of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. Individuals arriving from EU countries designated as high risk by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) must register with authorities and self-isolate for 10 days or until they take a COVID-19 test that returns a negative result, though this can be avoided by providing a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours; these restrictions do not apply to citizens of neighboring countries commuting for work. Individuals arriving from non-EU high-risk countries must register with authorities and self-isolate for at least five days, after which a COVID-19 test may be taken; those testing positive are required to self-isolate until they have recovered. Individuals arriving from countries designated as low risk may enter without restriction including Australia, China, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

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.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.