Slovenia has tightened the COVID rules and will apply the so-called PCT requirement as of 15 September, so all employees in contact with customers and the customers have to be either vaccinated, have a negative test or have recovered from COVID, under a decision the government adopted on Saturday.

The PCT rule will also be applied in prisons and asylum centres. Children under 12 are exempted, as are persons bringing them to school or kindergarten.

According to the public broadcaster, the decision will also apply to shopping centres, with the exception of smaller shops selling food.

The decision is motivated by the wish to vaccinate as many people as possible before the fourth epidemic wave expected in October.

Furthermore, masks will be mandatory indoors as well as outdoors if physical distancing is not possible.

Today Slovenia reported 1,085 new coronavirus cases, with 19.8% of the tests coming back positive, and three deaths. Currently, 274 COVID patients are hospitalised, including 62 in intensive care.