Good afternoon and welcome to today's statement
regarding the current situation in connection with the coronavirus.
Let me introduce today's speakers.
First is the Civil Protection Commander Srečko Šestan.
Hello. I will try to be short, since there are many speakers.
You will get the necessary information in the Q&A session.
This morning we met as a new team, although it wasn't very new.
I believe we will get new instructions with a new government.
We will then organise in a more suitable manner.
Despite that we formed some new working groups.
My colleagues will tell you more about the measures of these groups.
After yesterday's meeting with the municipalities,
the mayors, and NGOs, we were very active today.
We sent a letter to all public services with instructions.
Our branches on field were informed,
how to communicate with municipalities.
We gave instructions to the commanders of our bodies.
Last but not least, we sent a letter to the mayors.
The reason was yesterday's meeting
and because there are more and more questions,
even if the answers are known.
And you will hear some of the answers from my colleagues.
This is all for now. -Thank you, commander.
Next is the Director of Slovenia's National Institute of Public Health,
Nina Pirnat. -Good afternoon.
Epidemiological situation in Slovenia reached phase two.
This means we have to limit social contacts as much as possible,
with all the measures being carried out
in order to prevent and limit the spread of infections.
The most recent information shows
we have 141 confirmed cases as of 2 pm today.
4346 tests were carried out.
These numbers are enormous.
There are 54 new cases since our last report.
Regional data is not yet available,
however, there is an indication
that the biggest increase is in the Ljubljana region.
We can observe
the number of people infected with covid-19 is growing every day.
With the help of all state-imposed measures, we try to lessen the burden
that has been caused by a large number of infections.
We have been trying hard to contain the spread of infections,
so that the healthcare system
will be able to treat everyone
who will need help appropriately and on time.
We realise that the implemented measures,
such as closing down schools and kindergartens,
banning gatherings and cancelling events,
are changing people's everyday lives.
But it is necessary. Studies of the past pandemics
indicate that ristricting social contacts
is the most important measure that eventually helps
to contain the spreading of infections.
We banned school and kindergarten classes, but we need to know
that young people keep on gathering.
Therefore, we ask parents to comply with the measures.
Young people who do not go to classes
should not gather at bars or go for a drink,
because they are putting themselves and others at risk.
Sick and elderly people,
who are most susceptible to the infection,
would be the most affected if they got infected.
Some people live in institutions,
such as nursing homes
and social protection institutions
and it is very important that they do not get infected.
Every day, we are receiving questions
if we could nevertheless allow visitors in nursing homes.
We realise it is hard not being able to see our loved ones,
but it is extremely important that the virus
does not come to these institutions and therefore, we must respect
the restrictions. I have been talking
to many nursing home directors
who told me that visitors do not follow the instructions.
They have obvious signs of the upper respiratory tract infection
and they visit a relative without washing and disinfecting their hands.
This should not be happening. Even when we are outside,
it is very important to keep our distance to others.
We understand that situations such as this one bring uncertainty,
which can cause anxiety in adults and children.
That's why Slovenia has helplines for people in mental distress.
You can find information on those
on the National institute of Public Health website.
We would recommend for parents to speak to their children
about the virus, its transmission, about what is happening,
who is really threatened by the virus.
By that I mean the groups at risk, elderly and otherwise.
Speak to your children, so they can learn
what kind of measures need to be taken
to prevent the virus from spreading.
Parents and adults must of course take care of themselves as well.
This period is really hard, we've found ourselves in such a situation
for the first time in independent Slovenia.
Europe is also facing this for the first time after many decades.
This will pass.
But only with really strict hygiene measures
that I've mentioned several times will we be able to move on together.
Hello in the name of the Ministry of the Interior.
The Ministry offers assistance and help
to the health care professionals and everyone else
with implementing measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The main questions that have come up in this story
are the border crossings and why we implemented health control
and six checkpoints on our Italian border.
I think it's clear to everyone, it is clear from the regulation itself,
that we want to limit traffic and find out
if anyone is showing any signs of illness.
Of course, at this point I would like to point out that freight transport,
except for the transport of postal items, medicines, protective equipment,
medical supplies and humanitarian aid
from Italy is not forbidden and is being carried out
and we will continue to carry it out whatever the condition
of the infection spread.
This order also doesn't apply to Slovenian citizens,
people with permanent and temporary residence, freight vehicles
and all freight traffic headed to Slovenia as their final destination.
Today I was asked if food from a certain area in Italy can come
to Slovenia. Of course it can, because we will after all
need this food. Others are responsible for inspecting it.
Police will allow them access. The problem we have
is the freight traffic going to Hungary
because of the specific measures they've implemented.
They banned passage to the citizens from the infected areas,
especially from Italy. We have a certain problem here as far as
the return of Romanian citizens to their country of origin or destination,
the Hungarians don't want to let them in
because they're coming from the infected area.
This is a broader problem, which cannot be solved
by banning the entry of Romanian citizens with an order.
This applies to other citizens on the Italian border as well.
But we will have to find some way to agree with Croatia,
who has certain obligations in this area, or with Hungary
as to how we will get these people home.
This is a humanitarian problem that we will have to solve.
Police will participate in this constructively. If the Ministry manages
to arrange a convoy or some other way of traveling
in the least harmful way possible,
which will not cause any infection in Hungary or Croatia,
to assure the Romanians a way home, we are obliged to do that
in the name of EU solidarity and we will do it.
We're also handling the situation with the drivers, stuck at Obrežje.
They are provided with food so they can wait in that line decently.
However, we can't influence the number of trucks Croatia will accept.
That is why I advise everyone
coming from Italy not to drive towards Croatia,
because they will wait.
We decided to restrict the access of these vehicles by an order.
We are turning them around at the border crossing with Italy,
because we know they won't let them through.
We're trying to limit these obstacles.
Of course, we'll have to talk about
humanitarian aid so that these matters can run smoothly.
Croatia will also need food and other things.
Then there are quite a few questions about other border crossings.
Except for those with Hungary and Italy
the traffic is normal.
But it's true that today for example
an international passenger train arrived to Obrežje.
Croats removed all passengers
from the train and set certain conditions.
We discussed how to get them across all morning.
In most cases, these are their citizens,
returning from work in Italy or countries at risk.
I hope they will cross the border at Rigonci
and go through appropriate medical screenings before entering Croatia.
It is like this. A doctor in Croatia decides,
whether you go into quarantine or self-isolation.
The quarantine costs 500 Euros for 14 days
and that's why people reutrn, for example Japanese nationals.
We'll have to take care of all of the above.
I assure you we will take care of them and we will find solutions.
There's no need to be afraid.
But I sincerely advise anyone not to travel abroad.
Romanian Nationals sought help from their embassy.
We're discussing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We lack information about any agreements.
I would like to highlight this issue,
because many foreign nationals will be returning from Italy,
not only Romanians, but also some other EU nationals.
I would like to stress the importance of solidarity.
As members of the EU we are obliged to take care
of those in transit to their home country.
There was a question about the Austrian ban.
We received no information on this matter.
The Austrian police always informs us in advance
so we will have information in time.
The Czech Government declared a 30-day state of emergency.
They prevented entry to travelers from 15 countries.
Slovenia is not one of them, however Austria and Italy are.
You know which countries were denied entry by Hungary and Croatia.
These matters change hourly.
I can only say: Don't travel. Stay at home.
Thank you.
You mentioned the train that is stranded in Dobova.
Where are these people now? There were some Croatian nationals
who weren't allowed to cross the border by the Croatian police.
And Slovenian and foreign nationals. The train left from Switzerland.
It was an international train to Zagreb.
28 passengers are on their way to Rigonce,
where they will be medically examined. Based on medical decisions
they will either be quarantined or kept in paid quarantine
for foreign nationals.
I can't comment on these decisions.
They won't be kept in waiting rooms.
Is the communication with Croatia better? They didn't inform us about
their actions on the border.
Apparently migrant workers from Croatia can't enter Slovenia
or will be denied entry if they decline quarantine.
Workers who came to Metlika in the morning
won't be returned if they decline quarantine.
They were given this information upon entry.
We understand, people want to work
and are afraid to lose their jobs.
That's why they want to cross the border like that.
Same goes with Italy.
Italian nationals who work here or Slovenians who work in Trieste
want to cross. But the advice that the Ministry of Health gave is clear.
Stay at home. Work from home.
Don't cross the border. That's how we will contain
the spread of the virus. We have to acknowledge that
and there will be no problem.
I can't comment on Croatian measures.
They have to prevent the spread of the virus,
which is why they react this way. In these difficult times
some measures might not be appropriate,
others turn out to be. We'll see.
These foreign nationals sought help at the embassy.
We advise them to do so. If they have any trouble ...
I guess it has to be clear they have to make sure
to plan their return home.
No border is impassable.
We've stressed this point enough.
We have to reach an agreement with Hungary,
how these people will be returned home.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the embassy.
I am certain we will solve this.
Everyone is taken care of.
The truckers at Obrežje, so they can wait decently.
We will take care of everyone. For now,
they sought advice from the embassy, so there won't be any issues.
If things escalate and there is no agreement,
we will be forced to close the border with Italy.
and find different solutions.