Slovakia: Authorities reintroduce nationwide lockdown from Nov. 25 /update 41

Event

Authorities have declared a 90-day state of emergency and reintroduced a 14-day nationwide lockdown with effect from Nov. 25 in response to rapidly rising COVID-19 cases. During the measure, people will only be permitted to leave their accommodation for essential purposes, including purchasing essential goods, traveling to work or school, or for medical reasons. All nonessential stores, including bars and restaurants, must remain closed. In addition, unvaccinated people who have not recovered from COVID-19 must undergo regular COVID-19 testing to attend their place of work. All gatherings of more than six people from different households will be prohibited until the end of the state of emergency.

Essential businesses, including groceries, fuel outlets, and pharmacies, are operating subject to hygiene and social distancing requirements. Facemasks are mandatory in public spaces nationwide.

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