Ljubljana - Most of Slovenia's hospitals have kept some protective measures after the government lifted all the remaining restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus this week. Most of the hospitals still require face masks, while some hospitals are still quite strict about visits.

At UKC Ljubljana, the country's No. 1 hospital, masks, hand sanitation and physical distance are still recommended for patients, especially those with chronic conditions.

Masks are also mandatory for health professionals when they are in contact with patients, and for those in waiting rooms or other common areas or surgeries.

Patients who have respiratory infection symptoms must also wear a mask alongside visitors and those accompanying patients when they are in hospital rooms if distancing is not possible.

UKC Maribor, the second largest hospital, also recommends mask wearing, which is however mandatory for staff that come in direct contact with patients.

"We make sure the hands are properly disinfected. We have kept testing of patients before admission to hospital and periodically during hospitalisation," it told the STA.

Patients with fever or signs of respiratory infections are asked not to enter the premises of UKC Maribor, but to call first the clinic where they have an appointment. This rule does not apply to patients coming to the the Emergency Centre.

Only one healthy adult visitor is allowed at the maternity ward, with the rest of UKC Maribor's units sticking to limits imposed earlier in the epidemic.

The Celje Hospital has for instance kept triage at the entrance while dropping the Covid-19 questionnaire for visitors.

The Jesenice Hospital does not require masks any more while they are still recommended for staff at outpatient units and for procedures where aerosols are generated.

Masks are also recommended at the Golnik Clinic, which specialises in respiratory diseases.

Golnik has also kept rapid antigen testing for patients before they are admitted to hospital and once a week for those already hospitalised, while is has also a rather strict visitor regime.

The Sežana Hospital has meanwhile abolished mandatory mask wearing for patients and staff, while visits are allowed every day between 2pm and 4pm for one healthy adult.