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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

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.

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.

By 2 p.m. today there were 31 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection in Slovenia; the number of tests performed stands at 1643. To provide information and assistance to the public, a call centre has been set up with the toll-free telephone number 080 14 04; furthermore, notification via text messages has been introduced for travellers crossing the Slovenian border.

The MFA advises against all travel to Italy.

In accordance with the measures adopted to contain the COVID-19 epidemic, Slovenian citizens are advised against all but essential travel to China and against all travel to the province of Hubei until further notice.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic and the related restrictive measures of Korean authorities, Slovenian citizens are advised against travelling to the area around Daegu and Cheongju. The MFA advises against all but essential travel to other parts of the Republic of Korea.

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 and the related restrictive measures adopted by the authorities, the MFA advises against all travel to the country. Slovenian citizens temporarily staying in Iran are advised to leave the country as soon as possible.

At the beginning of the year, Slovenia entered into a partnership with several institutions and the NBA Dallas Mavericks where Luka Dončić also plays. Within this partnership, the game at I FEEL SLOVENIA Night was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 11 March 2020. Due to the uncertainty brought about by the spread of the coronavirus, the expected decline in American tourists visiting Europe and the increasingly restrictive measures recommended by the responsible authorities, the institutions comprising the Government Communication Office (GCO), Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalization, Foreign Investments and Technology (SPIRIT Slovenia), Tourism Ljubljana and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after careful consideration and consultation with key stakeholders, decided that the I Feel Slovenia Night and the Texas Feels Slovenia Business Conference with the Slovenian Tourism Workshop scheduled to take place the day after the match on 12 March 2020, should be postponed.

There have now been 23 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1227 coronavirus tests have been carried out in Slovenia so far. According to Minister of Health Aleš Šabeder, new infection cases are predictable and are related to the already identified cases. All patients feel well. A call centre has been set up to assist inhabitants in finding information regarding the coronavirus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

At this stage there are 19 confirmed coronavirus infections in Slovenia. The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) is closely monitoring the situation regarding the spread of Covid-19 and its impact on tourist flows in Slovenia and the World. We are in constant contact with the competent institutions, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MGRT), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MZZ), we follow the releases of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), the Ministry of Health (MZ) and other relevant sources.

There are currently 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in Slovenia, all originating from abroad. The health condition of all patients is good. Prime Minister Marjan Šarec convened a meeting of the National Security Council for tomorrow to take note of the report submitted by the Ministry of Health and other ministries. The professional services assess that there are no reasons to declare an epidemic yet. He stressed the importance of taking proportionate measures.

In Slovenia 12 cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed. The risk level of transmission has increased, therefore the Minister of Health will sign an order banning larger public events. Prime Minister Marjan Šarec will convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Monday.

Minister of Health signed an Order imposing a ban on gatherings at events in public places.

Statements providing updates on the occurrence of the coronavirus infection have been given by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Simona Repar Bornšek, epidemiologist Zoran Simonovič from the Maribor Regional Unit of the National Institute of Public Health and Dr Nina Gorišek, Head of the Department for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions at the Maribor University Medical Centre.

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 Setting up of the Natura 2000 information centre in the Karst region. The project, whose total budget stands at EUR 873,000, will receive a contribution from the ERDF amounting to EUR 688,000.

Statements to the press have been delivered by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Simona Repar Bornšek, and Nina Pirnat, Director of the National Institute of Public Health.

On 4 and 5 March 2020, a business delegation from the state of Nevada paid a visit to Slovenia. Within the scope of the Nevada Global Trade and Education Mission, the American delegation also visited Poland, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.

State Secretary Matej Marn attended an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich) in Zagreb. During discussions, the ministers assessed the current situation and focused on the expected development of EU's relations with Russia and Turkey.

Statements providing updates on the occurrence of the coronavirus infection have been given by the Minister of Health, Aleš Šabeder, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Simona Repar Bornšek, Nina Pirnat from the National Institute of Public Health and the Head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Dr Tatjana Lejko Zupanc.

Health Minister Aleš Šabeder said in a press release that at 20:44 the Ministry had been informed of the first positive case of novel coronavirus infection in 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 Dom na Krasu. The EUR 2.2 million project will be co-funded by the ESF, with the contribution from the Fund standing at nearly EUR 1.8 million.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the agreements signed between the United States and Afghanistan and between the United States and the Taliban today on launching dialogue between the parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to achieve a lasting peace. A firm agreement leading to a lasting peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan may only be reached through the full engagement of both sides in an inclusive dialogue aimed at finding a compromise solution.

Slovenia is deeply concerned about the Israeli plans to expand their settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, and to develop the E1 area. If implemented, this decision would seriously damage the prospect of resolving the issue through negotiation and establishing the state of Palestine, and Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

Today the OECD launched the AI Policy Observatory which will present an inclusive online platform for sharing and shaping AI policies. The OECD Observatory aims to help countries to enable and monitor the responsible development of trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for the benefit of the society.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the project “Upgrading bus stops and overhanging roofs” in Maribor. The project worth over EUR 205,000 will receive Cohesion Fund support in the framework of the Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) mechanism in the amount of EUR 80,000.

Slovenia has allocated a humanitarian contribution in the amount of EUR 50,000 to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The funds will be used to help meet the humanitarian needs of refugees and the internally displaced population in Syria. With this contribution, Slovenia fully honoured its commitment from the ministerial conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region held in Brussels in March 2019.

The Government has adopted the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Republic of Slovenia (NEPN) in accordance with the European Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action.

The possibility of the occurrence of the virus in Slovenia is high, considering the limited outbreaks and confirmed cases of the coronavirus in neighbouring countries and elsewhere around the world.

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 call for proposals for co-financing of investments in the infrastructure designed to provide senior day care programs and temporary housing for senior citizens. A total of EUR 21.5 million is made available for the call for proposals, of which EUR 17.2 million comes from the ERDF. Cohesion region Vzhodna Slovenija will receive EUR 11.6 million, whereas EUR 9.9 million is earmarked for cohesion region Zahodna Slovenija. The call for proposals will be published next week by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

State Secretary Matej Marn is attending the high-level segment of today’s 43rd UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. In his address, he stated that a group of countries, led by Slovenia, intends to open a discussion to declare the right to a healthy environment at the global level. During his visit, he also addressed the Conference on Disarmament and met the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, the President of the Human Rights Council and the Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva.

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 Nova Gorica community centre – phase II. The total project budget amounts to EUR 1.3 million with the ERDF contributing EUR 280,000.

Slovenia made a contribution in the amount of EUR 30,000 to the World Food Programme for emergency humanitarian aid to Yemen. Slovenia thus honoured its pledge for 2020 made at the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, which was held in Geneva on 26 February 2019.

Following the invitation of the Italian Minister of Health, a meeting was held of the ministers of Italy’s neighbouring countries: Slovenia, France, San Marino, Austria, Croatia, Switzerland and Germany. Italy and its neighbours presented their existing and planned measures for protection against the coronavirus. The measures presented by the individual countries are comparable.

In Brussels, State Secretary Matej Marn attended today’s General Affairs Council, which launched the March European Council preparations and discussed the topics of EU enlargement and legislative planning. At the meeting, the ministers and state secretaries also agreed to authorise the opening of negotiations on a new partnership with the United Kingdom and learnt about the new European Commission's plans for monitoring the development of the rule of law in the EU.

At its meeting today, the National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat took note of the current situation and activities concerning the coronavirus, which are managed by the Ministry of Health as the competent state authority according to the Infectious Diseases Act.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for a call for proposals that will co-finance energy-saving renovation of buildings owned and used by municipalities in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The call will be published by Ministry of Infrastructure. The available funding under the call for proposals amounts to EUR 25 million of which the Cohesion Fund contribution stands at EUR 21.25 million.

In Thessaloniki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miroslav Cerar is attending the high-level conference ‘From Thessaloniki to Zagreb’, hosting foreign ministers of the Western Balkans, EU member states from the region (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia), and EU representatives (EEAS, EC).

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the project “Biotech Hub within the National Institute of Biology (BTS-NIB)”. The project worth EUR 20.8 million will receive European Regional Development Fund support in the amount of EUR 16 million.

Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar is paying a working visit to Sweden; yesterday, he met Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Chair of the Committee Andreas Norlén. Today, at the general meeting of the Slovenian Association in Sweden, the Foreign Minister addressed Slovenian compatriots living in Sweden and thanked them for preserving the Slovenian identity and mother tongue.

Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar is paying an official visit to Sweden at the invitation of the Swedish Foreign Minister, Ann Linde. He met her and the Speaker of the Riksdag, Andreas Norlén, to discuss the importance of the European future for the Western Balkan countries, sustainable development and EU challenges around the world. At the round table held at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Minister Cerar touched on the challenges facing the EU and its relations with partners such as Russia, China, and the United States. He later visited the seat of the Smart City project in Stockholm.

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 Call for tenders for co-financing of the construction of open next generation broadband networks GOŠO 4. The call for tenders will be published by the Ministry of Public Administration next week. The total amount of funding available for the call for tenders stands at EUR 29.5 million, of which EUR 18.9 million is available for the programme area cohesion region Vzhodna Slovenija, whereas EUR 10.6 million has been earmarked for cohesion region Zahodna Slovenija. The contribution from the ERDF amounts to nearly EUR 23.6 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the project “Construction and reconstruction of community and road infrastructure in Ugar business zone” in Ribnica. The project worth EUR 2.4 million will receive European Regional Development Fund support in the amount of nearly EUR 1.5 million.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology was intensively working on facilitating the operation of Slovenian companies through the Amazon Europe online Stores platform. The final solution and launch of the business was announced for November last year, but the setups for the best possible costumer experience resulted in short delay. From this week on Slovenian companies are enabled to launch their business through Amazon Europe.