SLOVENIA, September 30 - Minister Koritnik responded to today’s decision of the Constitutional Court which suspended the implementation of Article 10a of the Ordinance on the method of meeting the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The minister regrets the Constitutional Court’s decision, but will respect it. The recovered/vaccinated rule for public administration will therefore not yet enter into force tomorrow, 1 October.

He pointed out that today’s decision was merely a temporary suspension, not an abrogation. The minister emphasised that the relevant ordinance did not introduce mandatory vaccination. Its purpose was to ensure a safer working environment in spaces for which the government is directly responsible.

The minister also expressed his sympathy after the tragic death of a young woman and extended his condolences to her family. He also condemned yesterday’s protests, which he believed to be a form of populism that was extremely dangerous to public health and a stunt to score cheap political points.

According to the minister, Slovenia is currently in a difficult situation as regards COVID-19 and overcoming this problem should be everyone’s fight. In his opinion, it is time to have a serious conversation on how to move forward. He still believes that we are capable of achieving vaccination coverage that will enable us to lift the unpopular measures and return to a more normal life.