Sutaj Estok: Border Checks Related to Foot-and-mouth to Be Lifted at Midnight

Bratislava, 20 May (TASR) - As of midnight on Tuesday, border controls at all crossing points with Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic will be lifted in relation to the foot-and-mouth disease, with borders reopening and barriers and traffic signs removed, although exceptional measures will remain in place in outbreak areas, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) said on Tuesday after a meeting of the central crisis management team, attended by Chief Veterinary Officer Martin Chudy. "Today's meeting of the central crisis management team was the last one, as no additional outbreaks were confirmed during the incubation period," said Sutaj Estok, adding that all measures taken in relation to this disease were clearly and understandably explained to the public. Chudy added that as of Wednesday (21 May), emergency measures will still be in place in Slovakia, including disinfecting vehicles on farms affected by foot-and-mouth disease and registering people entering the area. Restriction zones, decontamination gates, and fords will be lifted, but animal testing will remain. Animals can be moved between farms or abroad, but inspections will continue, especially regarding the movement of animals and vehicles transporting them. Zoos will also reopen from Wednesday. "Slovakia will still be divided into two zones, namely the former infected zone and the so-called clean zone. In the area that was previously an infected zone, clinical examinations will continue, as well as the collection of samples, depending on whether the animals will be moved from farm to farm or sent directly to the slaughterhouse," Chudy clarified. lin