Protesters stormed several government buildings in Slovakia on Saturday over a plan by the prime minister to test anyone ten years or older for the coronavirus in the short term, writes BBC News.
A group of about five hundred neo-Nazis and hooligans is said to have thrown bottles and stones at a government building in the Slovak capital of Bratislava. Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Earlier in the day, Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic announced a new plan to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The country wants to test everyone ten years or older for the virus. That is why the government has bought in 13 million rapid antigen tests.
The tests should take place between the end of October and the beginning of November, spread over two weekends. According to the prime minister, the test will be free, but he did not say whether the testing will be mandatory or voluntary.
Prime Minister will resign if plan fails
Press agency TASR reports that Matovic has announced at a press conference that he will resign if his plan does not go through. He sees the mass tests as the only way to prevent the spread of the corona virus in Slovakia.
On Saturday, the Slovak Ministry of Health registered nearly 2,000 positive tests and 11 deaths. In total, more than 28,000 positive tests and 82 deaths from the coronavirus have now been recorded in the country.
To combat the virus, the government announced a ban on religious gatherings and other major events this week. Gyms and swimming pools are also closed and students only follow distance education.
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