The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Slovenia rose to 82 by 9am today.

Šarec said other countries had not declared epidemics yet but Slovenia had decided for the move to better coordinate actions of the civil protection and other services.

He said the problem in Slovenia was that much bigger because of the number of infections among medical staff.

Šarec urged citizens to stay united, refrain from criticism of state measures or discrimination of those infected by the virus.