Slovenia is a mountainous nation having a population of around 2 million. It also shares its border with Italy, one of the worst affected countries by the coronavirus.
Ljubljana| Slovenia opened its borders on Friday after the country declared an end to its coronavirus epidemic, despite new cases being reported.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said, “Today Slovenia has the best epidemic situation in Europe, which enables us to call off the general epidemic.” The declaration came two months after the epidemic was declared.
Slovenia is a mountainous nation having a population around 2 million. It also shares its border with Italy, one of the worst affected countries by the coronavirus. Though, Slovenia itself has reported 1,500 coronavirus cases and 103 deaths as of Thursday.
With the rate of new infections trailing off, the government ordered the borders open for all EU citizens, while non-EU citizens will have to stay in quarantine.
“Since the danger of spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains, some general and special measures will remain in force,” it said in a statement, elaborating precautions that are still in place.
Public gatherings remain banned in Slovenia. Though, social distancing and wearing a mask in also mandatory.
Earlier this week, the government had said that some hotels and shopping centres will be allowed to open next week.
It also announced that all competitions including football can begin from 23 May.
Despite the country declaring an end to the epidemic, Experts said that disease was very much present in the country.
“No other European state has so far declared the epidemic was over so we should be cautious in Slovenia too,” Mateja Logar, infectious diseases expert told on public television on Thursday.
“The virus remains present,” Logar further added.
Declaring an end to the epidemic meant the government avoided automatic extension of economic package till June end provided to help the population and companies, according to public radio of Slovenia.
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