Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar handed over the duties to his successor Dr Anže Logar. During the handover, Minister Logar outlined his first activities in office related to the exchange of information with neighbouring counterparts in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

At today’s press conference, given together with Minister of Health Tomaž Gantar and Dr Bojana Beovič, the Head of the Expert Group that provides support to Slovenia’s Crisis Staff for the containment and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, Prime Minister Janez Janša talked about how the Government had decided to change the way the spread of the new coronavirus is monitored.

At today's session, the Government set up a Crisis Management Headquarters of the Republic of Slovenia in order to contain and manage the COVID-19 epidemic. The Government also discussed measures to contain the epidemic.
At the proposal of the Prime Minister, they also appointed Deputy Prime Minister, and Dr Božo Predalič was appointed Secretary General of the Government. They also set up a State Organisation and Public Affairs Committee of the Republic of Slovenia, Economic Committee of the Republic of Slovenia as well as an Administrative Affairs and Appointment Committee of the Republic of Slovenia. Several state secretaries have also been appointed.

Given the epidemiological situation, we have now entered the second phase. We must limit social contact to the greatest possible extent to stem the spread of coronavirus infections in the most effective way and to keep the health system operational. There is no ban on freight traffic from Italy to Slovenia for the transport of postal items, protective equipment and medical supplies, medicines and philanthropic assistance. The border with Italy can also be crossed by freight shipments whose ultimate destination is Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Connection road Ljubečna-motorway junction Celje vzhod. The project with a total budget of EUR 4.35 million is to receive a contribution from the ERDF amounting to EUR 2.8 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Development of cycling infrastructure along the Koroška cesta street in Maribor. The ITI-funded project, which is worth a total of EUR 330,000, will receive a contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to EUR 160,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Development of project documentation for the Third development axis connection road – Slovenj Gradec Southern bypass. The project with a total budget of EUR 831,000 is to receive a contribution from the ERDF amounting to EUR 587,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Connection road Ljubečna-motorway junction Celje vzhod. The project with a total budget of EUR 4.35 million is to receive a contribution from the ERDF amounting to EUR 2.8 million.

In view of the growing number of coronavirus infections, Slovenia declared today an epidemic in accordance with Article 7 of the Contageous Diseases Act. The Order Declaring an Epidemic entered into force at 6 p.m. At the same time, the national emergency response plan was activated. There are currently 96 coronavirus cases in Slovenia.

Prime Minister Marjan Šarec today said that Slovenia would declare an epidemic pursuant to Article 7 of the Contagious Diseases Act due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases. The Civil Protection Service of the Republic of Slovenia, which is already participating, will be activated; it will be able to perform its tasks more effectively on the basis of the order issued by the Minister of Health. The Government also adopted a decision to temporarily close kindergartens and schools.

During today's phone conversation with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar expressed solidarity with measures to prevent spreading of the Covid-19 virus and presented his condolences over the numerous fatalities caused by the virus in the neighbouring country.

THE EVENT IS POSTPONED

March is marked by the anticipation of spring. One of the holidays announcing its return is St Gregory's Day, the Slovenian version of Valentine's Day when birds get married.

On Tuesday, 10 March 2020, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia confirmed the nomination of Lipizzaner horses for entry on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Minister of Health, Aleš Šabeder, announced that the Order on the conditions of entry into the Republic of Slovenia from the Italian Republic to prevent the spread of infectious disease entered into force at 6 p.m. today.

Slovenia has not closed its border with Italy but is to impose health checks of passengers to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Six check points will be set up at the following locations: Rateče, Robič, Vrtojba, Škofije, Fernetiči and Krvavi Potok. There will be no restrictions for Slovenian citizens. As regards the envisaged measures imposed at the border with Italy to contain the spread of the coronavirus, it should be noted that since this is not a measure under the Schengen Code, notification based on this Code is not required.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Velenje urban cycle network - downtown. This ITI-funded project, worth a total of EUR 603,000, will receive a contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to EUR 336,000.

At its meeting by correspondence, the Government adopted a decision to start carrying out border control checks in the vicinity of the border between Slovenia and Italy on 11 March 2020. This measure is aimed at reducing the risk of spreading the contagious disease SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) in Slovenia and at protecting the health of its population.

Thanks to its sustainable development efforts in tourism under the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism managed by the Slovenian Tourist Board, Slovenia is among the winners of the 2020 Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards.

The prime minister has ordered the health ministry and the interior ministry to make all necessary preparations for closing the border with Italy, as has been done by Austria. This is a vital step if we want to curb the spread of the virus. The border will not be closed to freight, as this would cause additional economic damage. We are trying to stay for as long as possible in the first stage of the spread of the virus. Currently there are 34 confirmed cases. The border with Italy will be closed as soon as the technical and administrative formalities have been completed.