MEASURES INTRODUCED IN 2020

It is prohibited to shut down long-term social and medical facilities or interrupt their activity during the state of emergency. Patients can be discharged only at family request if it can be proved that they can be assured appropriate conditions at home. As a preventive measure, the staff of these facilities work in shifts as follows: they work for 15 days (and during this time stay in designated accommodation within their workplace) and then do not work for 15 days (and during this time they self-isolate at home). PPE equipment is provided for the staff. If anybody within the facility (staff or resident/patient) displays symptoms or has been in contact with an infected person, everybody in the facility is tested (otherwise there is no testing). External visitors are not allowed.

Starting with October 2020, the district public health authorities have ensured weekly testing of staff working in the residential long term care facilities for elderly, disabled or other vulnerable population and the working programme is scheduled at institution level, taking into account the local epidemiological situation.