The Government of the Slovak Republic held an extraordinary Council of Ministers last Sunday and was subsequently the Minister of Defence, Jaroslav Nad, in charge of announcing the decision, according to Efe. The Government has called on all citizens to carry out rapid tests of COVID-19 antigens during the weekend of 31 October and 1 November. A pilot test will be carried out next weekend in four of the regions where the virus is most affected. In the last two weeks there has been an increase in the infected population in the country.
The operation, which will be led by the Armed Forces, will mobilize over 8,000 soldiers in the coming weeks. Citizens will be summoned to the places where voting takes place at the polls, with a total of 6,000 polling stations. In each electoral college there will be a team of military, health professionals and civilians.
Proof, whether forced or under threat
The Government has not specified whether the test will be voluntary or compulsory. If it is decided that it is compulsory, the Government will have to reform the law before it is adopted. If voluntary, the Government has suggested that untested citizens may be at risk of losing social support or tax exemptions. Only children under 10 years of age are exempt.