Council of health experts proposes to extend lockdown until December 16

According to the Health Ministry, the epidemic situation in Slovakia, ten days after the introduction of the lockdown, has not visibly improved. The average daily increments remain above 10,000 positive tests, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals oscillates around 3,400 and the number of deaths increased by 38 percent compared to last week. In reaction to this, the council of health experts has proposed to extend the lockdown in Slovakia until 16 December. They also recommend increasing the use of home office work and the intensity of checking the curfew. Spokeswoman for the Health Ministry Zuzana Eliášová added that the experts have also proposed a new measure, which is the introduction of the OTP mode (vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from COVID-19) on trains and long-distance bus routes. According to the experts, reducing mobility is the most effective short-term tool to slow the spread of COVID-19.