No lockdown despite deteriorating situation

The government approved a stay-at-home order between December 19 and January 10. The order has numerous exceptions and is unlikely to be enforced by the police. The coalition apparently hopes Slovaks will behave responsibly over Christmas. Travel between districts is allowed, as is travel to work, to do shopping, to visit family, or to one’s cottage. Stores will be closed (except for groceries), but hotels and ski resorts may open. The soft measure came despite a new record of 58 Covid-19 deaths. The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals rose from 66 in September to a new record of 2,300 (their capacity is just below 4,000).