A video conference of the European Council, called by European Council President Charles Michel, was held today. The heads of state and government and leaders of EU institutions discussed the situation and measures relating to the COVID-19 epidemic. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša also participated in the video conference.

The operating hours at the checkpoint at Holmec (Grablach) on the Slovenian-Austrian border have been changed as of Wednesday, 22 April 2020.

Today, on 22 April, as we mark Earth Day for the 50th year, the world focuses on climate and environmental challenges.

According to the Austrian security authorities, the border crossing point Svečina – Berghausen was reopened today at midnight, while the old border crossing point Šentilj (on the main road) - Spielfeld (Bundesstrasse) was reopened today at noon.

On 22 April the world marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day draws our attention to the vulnerability and uniqueness of the planet on which we live. The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning contributes to the protection of the environment through active engagement and multiple projects. Let us take this moment to reassess our habits and create new ones that are better for our planet.

At today's session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia considered the proposed Act Amending the Act Determining the Intervention Measures to Contain the COVID-19 Epidemic and Mitigate its Consequences for Citizens and the Economy (the ZIUZEOP) or the 'first anti-corona package', and the proposed Act on Providing Additional Liquidity to the Economy to Mitigate the Consequences of the COVID-19 Epidemic or the 'second anti-corona package'.2]

The police established a temporary border crossing point (BCP) at Predel on the Slovenian-Croatian border in accordance with the State Border Control Act.

Slovenia joined the joint initiative of 16 EU Member States for greening the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Green Deal (Green Deal) is central to the European economic recovery.

At today's session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia considered the proposed Act Amending the Act Determining the Intervention Measures to Contain the COVID-19 Epidemic and Mitigate its Consequences for Citizens and the Economy (the ZIUZEOP) or 'the first anti-corona package', and the proposed Act on Providing Additional Liquidity to the Economy to Mitigate the Consequences of the COVID-19 Epidemic or 'the second anti-corona package'.

In exactly a month’s time, on 20 May, Slovenia and the rest of the world will celebrate World Bee Day for the third time. The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Bee Day on 20 December 2017 as a result of cooperation between the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, as the initiator, and the Republic of Slovenia. The main purpose of World Bee Day is to raise awareness among the global public about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity, bearing in mind food security, global elimination of hunger, and care for the environment and biodiversity.

On 20 April 2020, at the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Robert Glavaš assumed the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

At its regular session of 16 April, the Government took a new step towards the gradual easing of measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Minister of Finance M.Sc. Andrej Šircelj on the basis of the third paragraph of Article 40 of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding Act, issued a Decision on the appointment and tasks of the Expert Commission for the preparation of the candidate proposal for the members of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) Supervisory Board, which will carry out the process of obtaining and evaluating candidates and prepare for the Minister for Finance the proposal of the relevant candidates. The candidate selection process is underway due to the expiration of the term of office of two members of the SSH Supervisory Board on July 16, 2020.

On Wednesday, 15 April 2020, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik held a videoconference with Zoran Stančič, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia. They discussed cooperation between the Ministry of Public Administration and the Representation in the field of digitalization of public administration and measures to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic. They agreed that the cooperation is constructive and will continue in the future. The head of the representative office, Zoran Stančič, also praised the operation of e-Government during the epidemic.

Slovenia declared an epidemic on 12 March 2020 due to the growing number of coronavirus infections. In order to contain the spread of infection, many countries, including Slovenia, introduced changes in their border crossing regime.

Dear citizens, dear fellow Slovenians abroad, dear Friends,

Today, the Ordinance on imposing and implementing measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 at border crossings at the external border and at control points at the internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The Ordinance determines the locations of control points at the internal borders with Italy, Austria and Hungary, when they are open and who can cross the border at a particular control point. In addition, it determines who is and who is not ordered to undergo a quarantine, and who is and who is not allowed entry into the country. The Ordinance repeals the legal acts previously regulating this area. It enters into force on the day following its publication, which is tomorrow, on 12 April 2020.

Today, after the 10th session of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Prime Minister Janez Janša said that the government took note of the reports from all five working groups that prepared proposals for the second anti-corona legislative package.

Today, retired Archbishop of Ljubljana Alojz Uran passed away at the age of 76.