In the past 24 hours there have been ten new cases of COVID-19 in Slovenia, said the government which has been gradually easing restrictions introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic and which today will consider easing restrictions on movement.

An additional 1,317 tests have been conducted in the past 24 hours and three more people have died, the government said.

The number of patients being cared for in hospitals decreased by 5 in the past 24 hours and currently 73 people are receiving treatment in hospitals, 25 of whom are in intensive care units, one more than on Tuesday.

To date, 51,607 tests have been conducted in Slovenia and 1,418 people have tested positive for the virus – 627 men and 791 women. So far, 89 infected people have died.

In light of the improved epidemiological situation the government on Wednesday allowed libraries, museums and galleries as well as several services to reopen. As of Monday, catering and hospitality facilities will be allowed to open but only out in the open, on terraces and in gardens.

The government will also discuss the possibility of lifting restrictions on movement as citizens are still banned from leaving municipal boundaries except to go to work or in other exceptional circumstances, government spokesman Jelko Kacin told a press conference.

As far as kindergartens and schools are concerned, the government has still not received the relevant epidemiologist report, however, the education ministry is preparing everything for schools to reopen, Kacin said.

Exit exams will definitely be held and we are seeking a way to have graduation students return to school and prepare for exams but it is still not certain whether preparations will be conducted online or whether students will be required to physically attend school, Kacin said.