Even though the conditions for a Christmas lockdown in Slovakia were introduced on Thursday, they could end up being stricter, recommends the Pandemic Committee. Health Minister Marek Krajčí said that Prime Minister Igor Matovič likely approves of the proposal. Krajčí agrees with the warnings raised by epidemiologists, who find the COVID-19 situation in Slovakia serious and believes that the disease is spreading exponentially. The Government scheduled a negotiation on the topic for Monday afternoon.
According to the previous conditions, outdoor seating areas at restaurants shut down on Friday with restaurants only allowed to sell take-away meals. All stores in Slovakia should have been closed as of December 21 with the exception of grocery stores, pharmacies and drug stores. Ski resorts, hotels and other operations at these resorts should have remained open, but under more stringent conditions. As of December 14, their visitors need negative COVID-19 tests not older than 72 hours.
