RESPONSE OF THE SYSTEM OF PROTECTION AGAINST NATURAL AND OTHER DISASTERS AT THE OCCURRENCE OF THE COVID-19 DISEASE

Abstract

The system of protection against natural and other disasters (the system) had to quickly adapt to the unknown and unpredictable situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic in order to carry out tasks in the changed circumstances. When the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was declared on 12 March 2020, there was a severe lack of protective equipment in the Republic of Slovenia. After initial difficulties, a system was established which ensured a sufficient amount of protective equipment and mitigated intense pressures for the provision of protective equipment. The system, together with all entities included in protection, rescue and relief tasks and the implementation of measures in response to the pandemic at all levels, responded in a timely manner. During the second wave of the pandemic and later, the Republic of Slovenia had sufficient stocks of protective equipment. In line with the revised National Plan on the Protection and Relief in the Event of Epidemic or Pandemic Infectious Diseases in Humans, authorities ensured a constant one month‘s supply of protective and other items and equipment, and planned a three months‘ reserve for operation under pandemic conditions. Activities and tasks pertaining to the ministries‘ areas of work were carried out smoothly, continuously and in acoordance with the prescribed measures, including the comprehensive informing of the public.