Spot checks on Slovenia's border with Italy formally start
Ljubljana, 11 March - Slovenia launched spot checks on six points along the border with Italy to prevent the spread of coronavirus from the neighbouring country. Passengers will be subject to checks and all other road links with Italy will be closed. Passenger train service has been suspended as well, the government announced on Wednesday.
Nova Gorica
The Slovenian-Italian border.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Check points have been erected at the border crossings Rateče, Robič, Škofije, Vrtojba, Fernetiči and Krvavi Potok, while all other crossings have been closed under a decree published in the Official Gazette today.
Foreigners entering Slovenia who do not have a body temperature of over 37.5 degrees Celsius and do not show "clear signs us upper respiratory tract infections" will be allowed to enter.
All other foreigners must present a medical certificate in English, Italian or Slovenian not older than three days proving that they tested negative for COVID-19.
The restrictions do not apply to Slovenian citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Slovenia.
The rules will be enforced by health workers alongside the Civil Protection Service and with the help of the police.
Cargo traffic will not be affected.
The move follows a similar decision by Austria and is based on the Slovenian law governing action in the event of infectious diseases, not the Schengen Borders Code.
It was taken largely because Italians continued to travel to Slovenia en masse despite the entire country being on lockdown.