Slovakia extends COVID-19 restrictions amid infection surge
Slovakia extended tight coronavirus restrictions to more parts of the country on Monday as the latest surge of infections intensified.
The number of counties affected by the measures doubled in just one week, from five to 10. They are mostly located in northern Slovakia, on or near the border with Poland and the Czech Republic.
Slovakia has 79 counties.
The measures include the closure of hotels, bars and restaurants, with people only allowed to buy meals at takeout windows. Fitness, wellness and aquatic centers also have been closed.
The maximum number allowed to attend public gatherings is reduced to 100 fully vaccinated people. It's also mandatory to wear face coverings both indoors and outdoors.
Slovakia, which has a population of nearly 5.5 million people, is one of the countries in the European Union that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. It has registered around 457,431 cases and 12,917 deaths.
Almost 80% of 1,144 people who currently need hospitalization in Slovakia have been only partially vaccinated or haven't received a shot at all.
Slovakia has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the EU. Less than 2.4 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
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People stand in line to test for COVID-19 in Michalovce, Slovakia, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Slovakia on Monday extended tight coronavirus restrictions to more parts of the country as the latest surge of infections intensifies. The number of the counties affected by the measures doubled from five to 10, mostly located in northern Slovakia on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic. Credit: Roman Hanc/TASR via AP -
A woman wearing a protective face mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 looks at clothes in a shop in Michalovce, Slovakia, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Slovakia on Monday extended tight coronavirus restrictions to more parts of the country as the latest surge of infections intensifies. The number of the counties affected by the measures doubled from five to 10, mostly located in northern Slovakia on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic. Credit: Roman Hanc/TASR via AP -
A man wears a face mask as he buys a packed lunch from a window in a restaurant in Michalovce, Slovakia, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Slovakia on Monday extended tight coronavirus restrictions to more parts of the country as the latest surge of infections intensifies. The number of the counties affected by the measures doubled from five to 10, mostly located in northern Slovakia on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic. Credit: Roman Hanc/TASR via AP
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