<p>Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic said Saturday the eurozone member will test every resident ages 10 and up for the coronavirus, amid an uptick in infections.</p>.<p>"Testing will be free of charge," he told reporters in the country of 5.4 million people, without specifying whether it will be mandatory or voluntary.</p>.<p>"If we manage to pull this off, we can set an example for the entire world."</p>.<p>A pilot run in certain areas is scheduled for next weekend, while the main testing will take place in late October and early November.</p>.<p>The government declared a state of emergency earlier this month in response to a surge in infections and deaths. It also introduced new restrictions this week.</p>.<p>Secondary schools have switched to remote learning, all mass events -- including church services -- are banned, fitness centres and pools are closed, restaurants can only serve clients outdoors.</p>.<p>On Saturday, the health ministry reported nearly 2,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the total to more than 28,000.</p>.<p>Eleven infected individuals also died, putting the total death toll at 82.</p>.<p>On Saturday, around 500 people gathered outside the government building in downtown Bratislava to protest the latest anti-virus restrictions, despite a ban on gatherings of more than six people.</p>.<p>With many ignoring the mandatory face mask requirement, the crowd chanted "shame on you" and "gestapo" and called on Matovic to resign.</p>.<p>Some protesters threw rocks and glass bottles at the riot police, who for their part deployed a water cannon and tear gas against the crowd, according to video streams of the rally.</p>
<p>Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic said Saturday the eurozone member will test every resident ages 10 and up for the coronavirus, amid an uptick in infections.</p>.<p>"Testing will be free of charge," he told reporters in the country of 5.4 million people, without specifying whether it will be mandatory or voluntary.</p>.<p>"If we manage to pull this off, we can set an example for the entire world."</p>.<p>A pilot run in certain areas is scheduled for next weekend, while the main testing will take place in late October and early November.</p>.<p>The government declared a state of emergency earlier this month in response to a surge in infections and deaths. It also introduced new restrictions this week.</p>.<p>Secondary schools have switched to remote learning, all mass events -- including church services -- are banned, fitness centres and pools are closed, restaurants can only serve clients outdoors.</p>.<p>On Saturday, the health ministry reported nearly 2,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the total to more than 28,000.</p>.<p>Eleven infected individuals also died, putting the total death toll at 82.</p>.<p>On Saturday, around 500 people gathered outside the government building in downtown Bratislava to protest the latest anti-virus restrictions, despite a ban on gatherings of more than six people.</p>.<p>With many ignoring the mandatory face mask requirement, the crowd chanted "shame on you" and "gestapo" and called on Matovic to resign.</p>.<p>Some protesters threw rocks and glass bottles at the riot police, who for their part deployed a water cannon and tear gas against the crowd, according to video streams of the rally.</p>