The Finance Ministry expects the measure would cost about 500 million euros ($568 million). Matovic said the money from the state will also mean “hundreds million euros of extra help for the sectors that are the hardest hit” by the pandemic due to government restrictions.Ī total of 1.2 million people who reach 60 this year and older could be eligible. It could be also used to pay hairdressers or fitness centers. The bonus would be a voucher that could be used in restaurants, cafes, hotels or to buy tickets for sports, theater, cinema, exhibitions or concerts.
It would need some opposition support to be approved.
But the party didn’t veto it, making the approval possible. The pro-business Freedom and Solidarity opposed it, saying it was ready to support a 150-euro ($170) bonus only. The current four-party ruling coalition in Slovakia has been split over the issue. So far, only 46.1% of the nation’s 5.5 million people have been fully vaccinated. The measure, announced by Finance Minister Igor Matovic, should boost inoculations in the European Union country with one of the bloc’s lowest vaccination rates. BRATISLAVA, SLovakia (AP) - Slovakia’s government has proposed a plan to give people 60 and older a 500-euro ($568) bonus if they get vaccinated against COVID-19, the finance minister said Wednesday.