Passenger air transport allowed to resume

The government decided last night not to extend restrictions again, allowing resumption of passenger flights from the EU and third countries to Slovenia's international airports.

While flights can resume to airports in Ljubljana, Maribor and Portorož, the ban on flights from abroad to local airports remains in place until 12 June.

In a press release, the Government Communication Office said the ban was no longer necessary or sensible because following strict safety measures in individual countries air carriers were not providing flights anyway due to a lack of demand among passengers because of the epidemic.

Slovenia does not have an air carrier since Adria Airways went into receivership last year.

Fraport Slovenija, which operates Ljubljana airport, said the lifting of the ban would help airlines plan flights, but also noted that most of them had cancelled flights until the end of May.

The airport has already put in place measures and equipment to be able to welcome first passengers and resume operations safely.

Passengers will be required to keep a 1.5 metre distance from each other inside the passenger terminal and their numbers in the terminal and on buses will be reduced to half the capacity.

Only passengers and staff will be allowed inside the terminal and they will be required to sanitise their hands every time on entering it. Passengers will have to wear masks or other mouth and nose covering inside the terminal and special safety measures will apply to the staff.

Temperature screenings will probably be mandatory for at least part of the passengers but the measures and protocols are still being coordinated with the National Institute of Public Health.