Slovenia to ease coronavirus restrictions by opening restaurants

By: Trademagazin Date: 2020. 04. 29. 10:20

Slovenia will from Thursday lift a restriction imposed at the end of March that prohibited citizens from travelling outside their local municipalities, Prime Minister Janez Jansa said on Wednesday.

Education Minister Simona Kustec told national TV Slovenia later on Wednesday that schools and kindergartens, which have been closed since the middle of March, would gradually start reopening from May 18. She did not give details.

Slovenia, which has 2 million residents and borders Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, has so far confirmed 1,418 coronavirus cases and 89 deaths.

Jansa thanked citizens for following restrictions imposed from the middle of March to curb the pandemic and said in a speech sent to the media: “Thanks to you, Slovenia is the most successful (in curbing the coronavirus) among all neighbours of the focal country Italy.”

He added that Slovenia was also among countries that had suffered less economic and social damage than most because of the government’s quick response, which included financial help of about 3 billion euros or some 6% of gross domestic product to companies and citizens hurt by the outbreak.

Jansa said more restrictions would be lifted on Monday, but gave no details. The government said earlier that hairdressers and beauty parlours, as well as outdoor bars and restaurants and a number of shops, would be able to open from Monday. Libraries and museums are also expected to open on Monday.