Temporary border checks have been introduced in Slovakia on all border crossings with the exception of Poland as of Friday morning. Only people with permanent or temporary residence in Slovakia and holders of a Slovak passport are to be let in as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, announced Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini and Interior Minister Denisa Sakova after a meeting of the central crisis management team on Thursday.
At the same time everyone returning to Slovakia from abroad will be quarantined for 14 days.
The prime minister stressed that he does not recommend anyone to travel at the moment, even within the country, unless really necessary. With international airports in Bratislava, Kosice and Poprad to be closed for passenger transport, with the exception of individual transport, it was announced that foreign nationals would be allowed to leave Slovakia.
Meanwhile, all holiday trips organised by travel agencies have been ordered to be terminated. If necessary, the Government's planes will be used to bring home Slovaks from abroad.
Interior Minister Denisa Sakova also announced that in case of Slovaks who do not wish to be isolated at their homes so as not to endanger their families, the state in collaboration with the Interior Ministry will provide substitute lodging. "There's a facility in Gabcikovo (southern Slovakia) and we're also able to offer spots at recreational facilities in Donovaly and Liptovsky Jan (in the north)," Sakova stated at a press briefing. In the event of a shortage of capacity, other ministries might lend their facilities as well. According to her the total number of Slovaks currently abroad according to their SIM cards stands at about 20 000 people.
In line with measures to combat the outbreak of coronavirus, the public Slovak railways infrastructure owner has suspended international passenger transport as of Friday, March 13. Private transport provider RegioJet SK is suspending international trains and buses to and from Slovakia until April 5th. The last ones should go on Sunday, March 15th. The last international trains and buses from the Czech Republic to other countries will leave on Friday, March 13th, to return to the Czech Republic before midnight. Passengers who have bookings for departures up to April 5th will automatically receive a refund for their tickets without a cancellation fee.
