LARGE OVERVIEW OF NEW MEASURES: Schools will close, shops will open! We will be without visitors at Christmas – Topky

The epidemiological situation is improving only very slightly and according to the head of the Institute of Medical Analysis Matej Mišík, they are currently cautiously positive. The number of ambulance departures is also falling, which is good news and indicates an improvement in the epidemic situation. However, the ministry has set a new critical threshold for the number of hospitalized. Read what the current situation is in Slovakia and what measures will apply until January 9.

Critical limit

The situation in hospitals is currently stabilized, but the health sector has set a new critical threshold. When the number of hospitalized patients reaches the level of 3800, the minister will again propose a tightening of measures.

“However, the number of patients at UPV has increased to 300, and the number of deaths has also increased.” IZA chief Matej Mišík said. The good news is that the number of ambulance trips has decreased. “It’s an indicator of an improving epidemiological situation,” stated. Approximately 82% of hospitalizations are unvaccinated patients.

New MEASURES approved by the government

1. The state of emergency and the curfew continue to apply, visits during Christmas are prohibited.

The state of emergency continues to apply and a curfew also applies at least until 9 January. Exemptions will continue to apply in the event of a curfew. The Minister of Health explained that the already valid curfew with exceptions also means that it is also forbidden to travel with the family on holidays, even in the same district.

“In order to reduce mobile phones, travel will be allowed as before – that is, it will not be allowed even for your loved ones. For now. We are talking about traveling to the doctor, to work, we are not talking about visits.” said Lengvarsky. “There was no speech,” said the minister. Last year, the government advised families to create Christmas bubbles and not meet other people. The ban on mass events still applies.

2. From Friday 10 December, all stores will be opened for the “OP” group, ie for the vaccinated and those who have overcome COVID. Restaurants are not affected yet, they continue to sell in windows. Essential stores will continue to be open to all without restrictions. The list of essential stores should be adjusted.

3. The government has also approved the opening of basic human body care services. Hairdressers, cosmetics, pedicures and manicures can also open from Friday 10 December. They were originally scheduled to open on December 17.

4. From Friday 10 December, ski resorts, lifts and open cable cars can also be opened. With closed cable cars, a maximum of a quarter (25%), disinfection and ventilation may be mandatory.

5. Services shall be permitted from 10 December. Either a maximum of 30 people or 25 square meters per person.

6. Fitness centers will also be open from Friday. Either a maximum of six people or 25 square meters per person.

7. Tests for children under 12 are canceled (take over the status of a parent).

8. OTP mode will apply to IC trains, express trains and long-distance bus lines. If unvaccinated people who have not passed COVID want to travel with them, they will have to prove themselves with a negative test. The start date of this mode is not yet known. According to the Minister of Transport Andrej Doležal, who is in charge of this, this should happen immediately.

9. From 13 December, teaching at the 2nd level of primary schools and at secondary schools will take place at a distance, the schools will be closed. Universities are autonomous and the mode of operation is determined by the rector and the individual deans of the faculties.

Education Minister Branislav Gröhling voted against the pandemic measures in the government, as he could not identify with the general closure of schools. “I would like to know that the children will return to school in January, but you can see what the situation is like. What will happen next weeks is up to all of us.” he added. Other SaS ministers agreed on pandemic measures in the government. Gröhling does not consider resigning as Minister of Education if the children did not return to school after the Christmas holidays. He does not even think that only vaccinated children should return to school in person.

10. From 25 December, hotels and boarding houses, joint accommodation for members of the same household, will also be opened under the “OP” regime (ie vaccinations and overcoming). The wellness center for guests is also open. Room service may be available. Accommodation, even if vaccinated or COVID overcome, must have a negative test (PCR, antigen or hotel self-test) before arrival.

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Compulsory vaccination

Mandatory vaccination has been a topic for several weeks and, according to the Prime Minister, it is the only way out of the pandemic. Deputy Prime Minister Veronika Remišová demanded that it be introduced as early as January , Gröhling is behind. According to Minister of Justice Kolíková, it is appropriate to discuss it. Igor Matovič and Juraj Šeliga said that the financial assistance of 300 euros for the elderly, which the deputies have not yet decided on, is the last positive motivation.

That is why today the government today approved a resolution requiring the Minister of Health to prepare an analysis of the possibilities of introducing compulsory vaccination and an analysis of the possible financial participation of unvaccinated people in treatment. “The government instructs the Minister of Health, in cooperation with the Minister of Justice, to prepare and submit to the Prime Minister an analysis of the possibility of introducing compulsory vaccination against COVID-19 and the possibility of limiting reimbursement from public health insurance for health care provided against COVID-19, “ stated in the proposal.

Slovakia should purchase additional doses of monoclonal antibodies

Slovakia should purchase additional doses of monoclonal antibodies. They should be used to treat patients with COVID-19. The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic proposed to conclude a bilateral agreement for the purchase of 60,000 doses of Paxlovid in order to ensure the availability of this drug as soon as possible so that it will be available during January, February and March next year. In order to implement effective measures to protect the health and lives of the population, the Ministry of Health also proposed to conclude a bilateral agreement for the purchase of 5,000 Ronapreve in order to ensure its availability at the turn of December and January.

The Ministry of Finance will have to release funds to secure these drugs. In this context, Minister of Health Lengvarský added that drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 will cost approximately 55 million euros. Last week, the government approved the purchase of drugs worth 42 million euros. The head of the department again appealed to people to be vaccinated against the disease.