Introduction

A. State of Emergency

As from March 16, 2020, the Slovak government declared a state of emergency based on the Slovak Constitutional Act No. 227/2002 Coll. on state security in times of war, hostilities, exceptional circumstances or emergency, as amended.

As from March 16, 2020, retail shops and operations providing services shall be closed until further notice, except for the following facilities:

• Stores selling food, meat, bread and pastries, fruit and vegetables and similar
• Pharmacies and facilities selling medical devices
• Drugstores
• Gas stations
• Newsagents
• Shops selling pet food and veterinary supplies
• Facilities providing telecommunication services
• Facilities providing public catering and fast food
• Facilities providing postal, banking and insurance services
• E-shops and delivery services
• Funeral services and crematoria
• Automobile services and vehicle rescue
• Taxi services performing transport of objects and goods
• Laundry and dry cleaning services
• Attorneys, mediators, notaries, arbitrators, experts, executors, translators
• Key services
• Haberdasheries
• Bicycle shops and services
• Gardening shops

The store facilities that can be open must adhere to the following higher hygienic measures for both employees and customers:

• Wearing of face masks (or other suitable coverage of nose and mouth)
• Provision of disinfectant or disposable gloves at the entrance to the premises
• Ensuring at least a two-meter distance in queues
• The number of customers must not be more than one customer per 25 sqm of premises
• A notice of the above measures must be o put in a visible place at the premises
• Unless the store facility providing the above services fully adheres to the hygienic rules, it shall be closed.

Applicable restrictions

A. Total ban on travelling abroad

As of March 13, 2020, the Public Health Authority has decided to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all persons returning from any country abroad.

Only the following persons are entitled to enter Slovakia:

• Persons with permanent or temporary residence issued for more than 90 days
• Persons living with the above persons in a common household.

These persons must stay at home for 14 days (persons returning from abroad in groups shall stay during the quarantine in facilities provided by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic), must inform their doctors/paediatricians that they have returned from abroad, and must comply with the rules for quarantine. Not complying with this regulation is considered an offence and is sanctioned with a fine of up to €1,650.

The above restriction on quarantine does not apply to:

• Drivers with cargo
• Drivers and crew of ambulance services
• Employees of international mortuary services
• Pilots of airplanes who do not leave the airplane
• Crew of ships carrying out transport of goods
• Engine drivers and those working in railway cargo who carry out transport of goods
• Slovak citizens with permanent or temporary residency in frontier regions of neighboring countries within 30 kilometres from the Slovak state borders and having an employment relationship in Slovakia.

B. Closed airports

All three international airports in Slovakia (Bratislava, Košice and Poprad) are closed.

C. Protective equipment

Based on a decree of the Public Health Authority, as from March 25, 2020, everyone is obliged to wear a mask covering their breathing area in public places. Such masks must also be used at the premises of the employer. It is the obligation of the employer to employees wear masks while they are at work.

D. Ban on export of medical products and medical devices

The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, as of March 23, 2020, banned any export of registered human medicine or medical devices outside the territory of the Slovak Republic.

E. No seizure rights

No seizure rights have been introduced so far, but authorities may impose on private entities an obligation to provide medical material for ensuring civil safety in return for remuneration.

Competent authorities may impose on private entities an obligation to provide in-kind benefits for ensuring civil safety. In practice, the authorities could ask entities to provide such materials, if needed for civil safety. This should be done in the form of a written order issued by the relevant authority.

Provision of any such materials is subject to remuneration from the state.