Janez Poklukar

Maribor – Health Minister Janez Poklukar said in an interview with the newspaper Večer that the expansion of the Covid pass requirement had been introduced to put the epidemic under control not to force anyone to get vaccinated. He said hospitals would soon need to restrict access to their services due to rising Covid-19 hospitalisations.

Ljubljana – Health Minister Janez Poklukar has rejected in an interview with the STA speculations that he would found his own party before the coming general election, due next year. What is more, he does not intend to stand in the election, but should a chance arise, he sees himself continuing as health minister after the election.

Ljubljana, 4 September – The recovered-vaccinated-tested rule (PCT) will be expanded to a number of activities starting from Monday under a new government regulation that comes amidst rising numbers of coronavirus infections and hospitals filling up quickly with Covid-19 patients.

Ljubljana – The Health Ministry’s Covid-19 advisory group on Monday prepared a proposal of restrictive measures to be introduced in various stages of the epidemic. According to unofficial information obtained by the STA, it proposes expanding the tested-vaccinated-recovered (PCT) rule if the situation deteriorates, while school closure is not envisaged.

Šmarje pri Jelšah – After a year and a half of dealing with the coronavirus, there is no need for a formal declaration of epidemic as people know how to act and use common sense to help contain the spread of infections, said Health Minister Janez Poklukar on Wednesday, urging respect for social consensus on solidarity.

Ljubljana – Slovenia was expected to phase out on Monday free rapid testing for all but the most high-risk professions, but the government has now changed course. Employees in healthcare, education, retail and the events industry will continue to have access to free tests.

Ljubljana – The latest survey conducted by pollster Mediana for POP TV shows that the government enjoys an approval rating of 33%, while 58.8% disapproved of its work and 8.2% were undecided. Among political parties, the ruling Democrats (SDS) command a wide lead.

Ljubljana – WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge was received by President Borut Pahor and Health Minister Janez Poklukar as he arrived in Slovenia on Wednesday. In a press statement, they all stressed the importance of vaccination and warned of the rapid spread of the Delta variant in view of the resurgence of infections.

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Ljubljana – Exponential growth in coronavirus infections presages a new Covid-19 wave that could continue into autumn, said the head of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), Milan Krek. He and infectious disease specialist Mateja Logar warned about imported cases, especially in light of the highly-contagious Delta strain, calling for vaccination.

Brdo pri Kranju – Government officials and health professionals called on mayors on Wednesday to help convince the people to get vaccinated. Health professionals, including minister Janez Poklukar, warned that the situation is serious, with infections on the rise again.