People wait at a bus stop in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dec. 17, 2020. The Slovenian government decided on Thursday to allow more shops to reopen from Dec. 19 to 23 during the holiday season. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

 

A man uses a mobile phone on a street in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dec. 17, 2020. The Slovenian government decided on Thursday to allow more shops to reopen from Dec. 19 to 23 during the holiday season. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

 

A man wearing a face mask walks by a bus stop in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dec. 17, 2020. The Slovenian government decided on Thursday to allow more shops to reopen from Dec. 19 to 23 during the holiday season. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

 

A woman waits for the traffic light in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dec. 17, 2020. The Slovenian government decided on Thursday to allow more shops to reopen from Dec. 19 to 23 during the holiday season. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

 The Slovenian government decided on Thursday to allow more shops to reopen from Dec. 19 to 23 amid the holiday season.

Shops selling technical goods, tree and plant nurseries as well as shops with goods for installation, maintenance and repair services will be able to open across the country. Pet care services as well as some counselling and therapeutic services will also be allowed.

Meanwhile, book shops, shops selling stationary and gifts, and those with baby and children's products will only open in four regions with better epidemiological situation.

Economy Minister Zdravko Pocivalsek said at a COVID-19 briefing that the government had already discussed the measures after Dec. 23, but the final decision is to be taken in the coming days.

The minister said despite the difficult epidemiological situation, it is vital that the economy is functioning. Slovenia cannot afford a full lockdown during the holiday season, the minister said.

The government had already decided to ease certain business restrictions related to the COVID-19 epidemic from Dec. 15 till Dec. 23. Some services such as public transportation will resume nationwide.

Slovenia on Thursday reported 1,642 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 102,043, according to official figures. The national death toll rose by 43 to 2,233.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, countries including France, Germany, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are racing to find a vaccine.