Mandatory quarantine for arrivals in Slovakia

Domestic pandemic control measures are guided by a “Covid Automaton”

Slovakia is introducing a new border regime, effective February 17, which mandates 14-day quarantine for all arrivals, at home or in a special state facility, reports TASR newswire citing a Foreign Ministry statement. Quarantine may be lifted after the 8th day at the earliest after a negative PCR test.

Testing is optional for children under the age of 10, but their isolation ends at the same time as that of the other members of the household. Incoming passengers are also required to register when entering the country by land, upon arrival at the latest, or to fill in an e-form if they arrive by plane.

Exempt list of arrivals

Exceptions to the quarantine rule apply to commuters working in neighbouring countries, students, caregivers, people employed in the cultural sector, the media and the like; employees of diplomatic missions and international organizations enjoying diplomatic immunity.

An exception is also made for athletes who are in a training process or participate in professional competitions and have a permit from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Slovak Republic. All above stated groups are required to present a negative result of an antigen or PCR test not older than 7 days (14 days previously) each time they enter Slovakia.

Health Minister Marek Krajci explained that the new regime on the country’s borders “is intended to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus mutations, which are more infectious and cause higher mortality.”

Automatic restrictions at home

On February 8, Slovakia adopted a “COVID-19 Automat” Traffic Light System, which implements automatic pandemic control measures nationally and regionally based on predetermined criteria. The measures are updated weekly depending on the current situation.

The black phase (most severe level of alert) entails curfew with few activities allowed outside of home. Anyone physically present in a district in the black or dark red phase must carry with them outside their homes proof of a negative test less than 7 days old, a complete vaccination certificate (two doses), or proof of recovery from COVID-19 not older than three months. 

In districts with the two less severe alert levels, it is sufficient to submit negative test results (no older than 14 and 21 days, respectively). These measures are now in force until 19 March.