Minister J. Naď: “We’ve tested over 1 million people and there is no waning interest in testing. I believe we’ll make it.”

Over 40,000 people, including health workers, have been involved in across-the-board testing for COVID-19. This figure includes 6,000 military personnel, around 5,000 police staff along with 250 members of the Financial Administration Authority, 113 firefighters, 50 members of the Mountain Rescue Service, around 10,000 administrative aids, nearly 4,000 volunteers, 33 members of the Austrian Armed Forces and 200 medical professionals from Hungary.

Prime Minister Igor Matovič, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, Interior Minister Roman Mikulec came to the village of Hrubá Borša today, to give a press conference on Op Shared Responsibility, Slovakia’s mass testing operation. The Prime Minister underlined that this is the most extensive logistical operation in the history of Slovakia, with plans for the operation having been put into action in a matter of days. He extended his thanks to all those involved in the project. “We are doing a big thing for Slovakia and I think the outcome will speak volumes for itself,” he emphasised and called on people to behave responsibly in line with their test results.

Paying homage to all those involved in supporting this huge logistical operation, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “We all have joined in pulling together in one direction and we seem to have managed it quite well.” Aside from mobile testing units, the Defence Ministry has overseen testing in hospitals, businesses, care homes, critical infrastructure companies and the Justice Ministry since Thursday. Over 600,000 tests have been assigned towards this end and test results are expected to be assessed on Sunday.
 

Speaking of Op Shared Responsibility, the head of the MOD said that a total of 1,856 lorries and vehicles have been moving across Slovakia, transporting supplies and personnel where needed. Since yesterday they have covered over 500,000km, transported 4,100 pallets of equipment and moved 4,300 tonnes of supplies from warehouses to testing sites. Additionally, they have set up a total of 5,000 communications points for testing sites, with direct reporting to Regional Commands.
 

On the course of testing, Interior Minister Roman Mikulec said: “I cannot but thank all Slovak citizens for coming to get tested at the testing sites. They do deserve our thanks because they are very disciplined and responsible.” He pointed out that, except for two incidents, no security incidents have been reported. “Participation and cooperation of all elements in the operation have been simply amazing,” he added.