Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia

11/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/04/2021 17:08

Complying with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule can help contain the spread of COVID-19

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Inspector Deana Potza from the Health Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia. | Author Kabinet predsednika vlade

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Acting Chief Inspector Martina Gašperlin from the Market Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia. Deputy Director General of the Police Stanislav Vrečar.

Ms Bratuša began by saying that, at today's regular session, the members of the Government had included a lengthy discussion of the current epidemiological situation. On the basis of the preliminary consultation with the members of the advisory group and today's discussion, the Government will resume the session on Friday afternoon, 5 November 2021, as the decisions that need to be taken require thorough consideration.

Deana Potza from the Health Inspectorate presented a report on the inspections of compliance with the recovered/tested/vaccinated rule performed from 18 to 31 October and over the three-day holiday weekend.

She said that the inspectorates increased the number of inspections on premises by 30%, having carried out almost 4,000 inspections. They also increased the number of inspections of individual compliance with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule by 100%.In the last two weeks, this number exceeded 14,000, while the number was previously approximately 7,000.

In total, inspectorates issued 585 measures for non-compliance with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule. The number of measures issued was 57% higher than the week before.

Breaches of the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule were identified in the hospitality, trade and education sectors, as well as at premises such as petrol stations, post offices and car repair shops. The breaches identified included failure to check, or to check with sufficient precision, that users or staff were complying with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule; failure to provide appropriate notices; or failure to ensure that staff comply with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule. The persons who failed to comply with the rule were given a verbal warning on the record and ordered to remedy the irregularities. In cases where the breaches were promptly corrected and compliance with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule ensured, a warning was also the only measure taken.

During the holidays, a number of announced events, as well as nightclubs, casinos, restaurants, accommodation facilities and swimming pools, came under the scrutiny of the inspectorates. In total, over 350 inspections were carried out and seven payment orders were issued, but in most cases, non-compliance led to warnings being issued.

The Acting Chief Inspector at the Market Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia, Martina Gašperlin, said that, in cases where warnings were given, the persons involved immediately put recovered/vaccinated/tested rule checks in place. She called on customers and service users to show proof of compliance with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule as soon as they enter the premises, which makes it much easier for staff to do their job.

The Deputy Director-General of the Police, Stanislav Vrečar, said that, in the past week, seven cases of forged certificates of compliance with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule had been detected, not only at border crossings but also in the interior of the country. In this regard he stressed that if a person is found in possession of a forged document, they are issued with a criminal charge. The offence of forging documents carries a prison sentence of up to three years.

All three speakers called on the citizens of Slovenia to comply with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule because the aim of the measure is to contain the epidemic, and only by acting responsibly can we together stop the spread of COVID-19.