OBLIGATION TO WEAR A RESPIRATOR

#11Obligation to wear a respirator

On 15.03.2021, Decree no. 111 of the Public Health Office of the Slovak Republic comes into effect.

Pursuant to this Decree (with exceptions as mentioned), all individuals in public and in the interiors of buildings or in public transport are obliged to use a respirator or similar device without an exhalation valve, comply with Member States and technical conditions and filtration requirements for half masks with FFP2 classification at least according to STN EN 149 + A1 standards.

The mentioned exemption from the obligation to wear a respirator excludes, e.g.:

1. children up to the end of the first stage of primary school,
2. individuals performing sports,
3. performers in the performance of artistic performance and performing in the shooting of documentary movie,
4. sign language interpreters in the exercise of their profession,
5. an employee who is by himself in the indoor workplace.

Furthermore, we remind, that the Decree no. 47 of the Public Health Office of the Slovak Republic is still binding and effective. In that sense, during a curfew period, employers are required, to prohibit employees from entering the workplace exceptfor employees complying with one of the exceptions applicable to the COVID AUTOMAT district classification in one warning stage. In order to verify this fact, the employer is entitled to require the employee entering the workplace or other premises of the employer to submit any document proving any of the exceptions and to inspect such document.