Slovenia entered lockdown mode at midnight as the government issued decree temporarily prohibiting public gatherings in public places to contain the coronavirus epidemic. The decree prohibits the movement and gathering of people in public places until further notice, but there are exemptions to ensure that society can function.
Individuals may leave their homes for a public place mindful of keeping a safe distance and only for work-related activities, to eliminate immediate threats to health, life and property, to care for people in need of support, and to access shops that remain open (grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, post offices, cleaning services, car repair shops and the like).
Importantly, people may access public parks and other areas for walking, again mindful of the safety distance. Local communities may make more detailed rules depending on the needs of the community. In that case, mayors must post public notices.
In the framework of these exceptions, movement, access to and stay in a public place is also allowed for groups of persons who are close family members or share the same household, provided they keep a safe distance from other similar groups.
Groups of up to five co-workers who share the same personal vehicle to get to work or who have been called up to perform tasks within the Civil Protection Service are also exempted.
The lockdown will be policed and the fines for violations are around 400 euro.
The lockdown was also announced via an SMS sent to all phones in the country notifying the people of the prohibition of pulic gatherings.