These days, health inspectors are doing fieldwork practically all the time after taking drastic government measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. In the first three nights since the entry into force of the decree restricting movement at night, for example, 20 violations were identified, and misdemeanor proceedings were instituted against the offenders. Violations mostly took place on the streets of Ljubljana and Maribor, where some people expressed disagreement with the introduction of the so-called curfew. The fine for each violation ranges from 400 to 4,000 euros. There are currently just over 80 inspectors working at the Health Inspectorate, who have more and more responsibilities. They are also preparing coordination on how they will undertake additional inspections during the partial »lockdown«, which officially started today.
On Friday, the inspector of the Health Inspectorate Andreja Mojškrc was also a guest in Tema dneva, noting that the Slovenes mostly took the measures seriously, as there were relatively few violations. »It is true that compliance with the decree restricting movement at night is actively monitored by the police after 9 pm, but we are often in the field together with the police. We were mostly in Ljubljana, Maribor and Kranj,«”said Mojškrc, who points out that fines often add up. For example, someone who was caught outside after 9 pm in a group of more than six people, and who may not have been wearing a mask, committed three offenses.
Although these are mostly weirdos who are convinced that the government decree is violating their human rights, or that they do not believe in the virus at all, also some foreigners who were not aware of the decree have been punished these days. »Then there were dog walkers who didn’t know how to behave,« Mojškrc explained.
They are checking if people are wearing masks outdoors
Health inspectors also monitor compliance with the measure of wearing a mask outdoors. At the beginning, according to Andreja Mojškrc, they were mostly present in public places, especially on the streets and squares; they issued over 140 warnings these days, but less than ten fines, despite inspecting 300 sites. The host of the show Luka Svetina asked the inspector if government decrees were to be monitored in rural areas as well. »We agree on this with police officers, usually based on a risk assessment, where there is the greatest possibility of a violation,« she replied.
The Health Inspectorate has had experience with surveillance during the partial closure of the country since the spring, when the largest number of offenders was recorded among caterers, when the release of measures began, but most of it was non-compliance with the recommendations of the National Institute of Public Health, and not undeclared work or any other violations.
»I appeal for the future, if we respect the measures during the lockdown, when we are away from home, we will greatly reduce the possibility of bringing the virus home and spreading it among our loved ones,« said Andreja Mojškrc in Tema dneva.
