Slovakia will enter a partial lockdown beginning October 24 during which people are expected to remain indoors unless they are shopping for food, going to work or taking walks. At the same time, the country will launch a massive Covid-19 testing operation of the entire population that ends November 1. Those who test negative, or fail to have themselves tested, will be essentially have to undergo a two-week quarantine period. Those who test positive can continue for the next two weeks to go to work, shop for essential supplies and move around outside in the region where they live. To discourage the movement of people, mass transportation will be limited for the next three weeks, while most schools will be closed for the next month. Prime Minister Igor Matovic claims the testing will allow the country to attempt a softer lockdown than was being suggested, however, the four worst hit regions in the country will enter a total lockdown immediately. The number of infected people has skyrocketed in recent days. Just 115 people have died of Covid-19 so far, but the number of new infections has been climbing sharply in recent days.
