On Monday, Slovakia initiated intensive border controls. Police officers focus was on compliance with quarantine after entering the country. Some border crossings are completely closed, while others only restrict traffic. This is the result of a new alert system that manages border measures. Freight transport will be exempted, while controls on trains will be tightened.
“Intensive inspections will also be carried out at airports,” said Denisa Bárdyová, a spokeswoman for the presidium of the police force. The police will carry out inspections with the support of the Slovak Armed Forces.
On Saturday, Bárdyová specified that police officers would check compliance with mandatory registration on the e-Hranica website during health and safety checks, as well as confirmation of compliance with the conditions for applying for the exemption from quarantine obligations.
At the same time, she asked citizens to prepare all necessary documents, confirmations, or mobile devices with digital forms of confirmation before arriving at the inspection posts. “The police force is ready to check EU digital COVID passports with the help of mobile scanners,” she added.
After Monday’s tightening of controls on entry into Slovakia, bottlenecks began to form at some border crossings, especially in the morning and evening. The Slovak police responded by announcing that they would create a special lane for passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 at large border crossings. “As many lanes as possible will be created, one of which will be intended for vaccinated persons,” said police spokeswoman Denisa Bárdyová.
When traveling to Slovakia, it is necessary to register in the eHranica application. Vaccinated people only need to register once every six months. From Friday, July 9, the Slovak authorities will require a quarantine when entering the country for unvaccinated passengers which can end no earlier than the fifth day after entering Slovakia after a negative PCR test.
Closed border crossings
Due to the lack of police officers and soldiers, about thirty smaller border crossings with the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Austria were closed. Dozens of people protested at the Czech-Slovak border crossing Vrbovce – Velká nad Veličkou. For residents who commute to Moravia to work, closing the border crossing means a significant detour.
Title image: A driver stands outside his vehicle as a long line of trucks waits to be checked at the border with Slovakia near the town of Lanzhot, Czech Republic, Friday, March 13, 2020. Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus called COVID-19, Slovakia has imposed new restrictions: only those who have Slovak permanent or temporal residency are allowed to enter the country. The ban doesn’t apply to the transport of goods. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
