LJUBLJANA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Slovenian government adopted a decree on Thursday to contain the COVID-19 epidemic, which bans gatherings and other events in public areas and restricts people's movement.
According to the decree, people will only be allowed to leave home to go to work, the pharmacy and to buy daily necessities at their closest shop. People will also be allowed to go outdoors and to parks, but only alone or with people living in the same household.
Local communities will be able to determine exemptions to the ban in more details with a public municipal decree.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said via a video conference that people must become aware that even the strictest measures would have no effect unless "we realize that every one of us is a part of both the problem and solution."
Jansa added that certain measures such as the ban of passenger flights and restrictions for some other activities would be toned down in the coming weeks when additional protective equipment arrived and safety procedures were laid down.
Interior Minister Ales Hojs told local media that fines for violations of the ban will be about 400 euros (427 U.S. dollars).
The decree comes into force at midnight on March 20 and is valid until revoked.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Slovenia rose by 33 to 319, with one death, after a total of 9,860 tests had been conducted.
