As Covid numbers keep falling in Slovenia, the face mask mandate for children in lower grades of elementary school will probably be lifted soon. In addition, experts project that situation would improve even further, probably allowing the easing of all pandemic restrictions by the time of the next election scheduled for April.

Over the past 24 hours 2,372 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed and 10 more Covid-related deaths have been reported, the local health authorities said on Wednesday.

There are currently 68,081 active cases in the country, the seven-day average of daily new cases has now dropped to 3,002, and the 14-day incidence is 3,226. There are 779 patients in hospital care, including 116 in intensive care units, the government said.

A parliamentary election is due on 24 April, and experts estimate that daily caseloads might drop below 2,000 by early March, so no special measures would be required to hold the election.