Janez Poklukar

Ljubljana – The government has adopted a long-awaited bill on long-term care. A gradual approach is planned and a special mandatory contribution for long-term care, a key component of the system, will be put in place later, by mid-2024 at the latest.

Ljubljana – Health Minister Janez Poklukar called for coordination of measures to form guidance for travel and crossing the borders within the EU, as he addressed a virtual informal meeting of EU health ministers on Thursday. He also urged a fair global distribution of vaccines against Covid-19.

Ljubljana – Student self-testing will be launched next Monday, but only for some secondary school students for now, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said on Tuesday. Others, including older primary school pupils, could start taking swabs a week later or as soon as possible. Student self-testing remains voluntary and will be conducted at home.

Brussels – The health minister expects that the EU will have enough Covid-19 vaccine in the coming months to fight off the pandemic, and that a digital green certificate will also play an important role. Its first version could be available in Slovenia in June, allowing residents to travel abroad over the summer, he said on Wednesday.

Ljubljana – Mario Fafangel, the head of the centre for communicable diseases at the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), has resigned from the team advising the government on measures to contain coronavirus, saying decisions taken are often in disagreement with the epidemiologists’ opinion and protocols.

Ajdovščinal – Prime Minister Janez Janša and Health Minister Janez Poklukar visited on Friday the biotechnology company BIA Separations, which is owned by the German company Sartorius in what was the largest foreign direct investment in Slovenia last year. Janša noted on the occasion the role of BIA Separations in the production of Covid-19 vaccine.

Ljubljana – Health Minister Janez Poklukar has ordered an emergency oversight over the paying out of epidemic bonuses. He said the costs of the oversight should be included in the financial plan of health institutes for 2021.

Maribor – After schools reopen on 12 April, secondary school students will begin self-testing for coronavirus, followed a while later by pupils of the final three years of primary school, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said on Thursday.

Brussels – Health Minister Janez Poklukar took part in a EU ministerial to note that many member states had called for a single EU strategy to improve sequencing, as new coronavirus strains were currently the greatest threat, for the free flow of people and goods, but also for the healthcare systems.

Ljubljana – The government has decided to launch a free-of-charge testing campaign near border crossings with Italy. Rapid antigen testing will be available from Wednesday for commuters, students being schooled across the border and owners of property across the border.