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HEALTH-VIRUS-SLOVAKIA
Slovakia tightens lockdown amid Covid uptick
BRATISLAVA, Jan 27, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Slovakia on Wednesday tightened its
lockdown regime by requiring negative coronavirus results for trips outside
the home, amid soaring infection numbers.
With the exception of under 15s and the over 65s, everyone must have
confirmation of a negative PCR or antigen test result in order to leave the
house for work, a doctor’s appointment or groceries.
The new rule will apply until February 7 in the EU member of 5.4 million
people where more than 2.5 million Covid tests were carried out last week —
producing more than 30,000 positives.
Police said those who venture out face checks and stiff fines await anyone
breaking the rules.
“We will continue with random but strict checks of negative test
certificates. On-site fines range up to 1,000 euros ($1,200),” police
spokesperson Denisa Bardyova told AFP.
“The positivity rate for all of Slovakia amounts to 1.18 percent,” Prime
Minister Igor Matovic told reporters.
The strict measures have not sparked any street protests, though many
Slovaks are frustrated.
“Had the lockdown been stricter at the right time, these tests would not
have been needed,” Bratislava resident Anna told AFP.
Accountant Jana, who said she would have to get tested to go to work,
questioned why the requirement also applied to country walks.
“This is complete nonsense. Who am I going to infect there, trees?” she
told AFP.
Early next month, areas that are faring worse in the epidemic will undergo
another round of mass testing.
On Tuesday, Matovic said that putting all hope in vaccines alone was a
delusion given supply issues.
“At this pace, it might take until September to vaccinate 60 percent of
the population,” he told reporters.
Only two percent of the population have been vaccinated against the
coronavirus as of Wednesday, the health ministry said.
Slovakia on Wednesday reported 2,775 new infections, bringing the total to
241,392. The death toll stands at 4,361.
BSS/AFP/IJ/2020 hrs