60% of E-Passes in Croatia Rejected on Day One
December 22, 2020 - E-passes in Croatia come into force at midnight. On the first day they were issued (December 21), 60% were rejected.
Index.hr reports that on the first day of issuing e-passes, by 6 pm, more than 17,000 requests were resolved, and 60% were rejected.
As a reminder, from midnight on Tuesday to Wednesday, the Headquarters' decision comes into force, which prohibits travel to other counties from the place of residence or stay. Those who still want to travel must have an e-pass.
On Monday, the epropusnice.gov.hr webpage where you can apply for passes began working. By 6 pm, more than 35,000 pass requests had been submitted.
Interior Minister and head of the Civil Protection Headquarters Davor Bozinovic said for HRT on Monday night that by then, more than half of the requests for passes had been rejected.
"According to my information, more than 60 percent of the requests for e-passes have been rejected," Bozinovic said.
He said that the requirements for issuing passes are different. Still, most applications were submitted by companies that plan to continue operating, adding that the decision is temporary and preventive.
"It is preventive in the sense that people are encouraged to make as few close contacts as possible, especially when it comes to family reunification, which is often the case during the holidays, especially Christmas and New Year," Bozinovic said.
"People who do not have the conditions to cross the county border by any means of transport will be warned. Police officers have been engaged 24 hours a day since the beginning of the epidemic, and now about 800 police officers will be engaged at about 200 checkpoints to implement the travel ban between counties," he said.
Bozinovic also commented on the questionable constitutionality of the decision on the travel ban, stating that the Constitutional Court had already decided on the constitutionality of the Headquarters' decisions. To put it mildly, this is a questionable claim, as the Constitutional Court has not ruled on this particular ban on travel between counties.
"I think this decision is proportionate, preventive; it should last until January 8. It is preventive in addition to not only sending a message but also limiting contacts that are most common at this time of year and can cause a bad epidemiological situation after the New Year," said Bozinovic.
Bozinovic emphasized that the Government had already communicated before that a curfew would not be introduced and that a total lockdown would not be established.
"We are sticking to it, and we manage to balance it, of course, first of all, taking care of the protection of life and health of the population, but the economy is also important. The numbers have been falling lately, and we hope they won’t need to implement and make decisions on tougher measures. However, these measures could in principle be extended because we are at such a time of year when the virus is particularly virulent and spreads rapidly, especially indoors," he added.
Bozinovic's deputy Damir Trut also spoke about the passes on Dnevnik Nova TV.
"More than 35,000 requests were received by 6 pm. Thousands of emails were received in which citizens demanded a certain activity and a large number of phone calls. 50 percent were processed, of those 50 percent, 60 percent were rejected," Trut said.
He revealed why citizens are looking for e-passes. "They usually apply because of work, business reasons, or visiting parents or relatives."
Citizens have complained that it is almost impossible to get someone in the contact center.
"Today, there are 23 employees. There are several calls from citizens. It was technically impossible to answer everyone, so there is a voice machine, but there is no need to call. On koronavirus.hr, on the pages of Civil Protection, there are instructions you can read. There are answers to all the questions, and it is stated who can request an e-pass,” he explained.
He also stated that the police will have 200 checkpoints and 800 police officers. "People will likely try to pass without passes, but I believe that our citizens are conscientious and will respect the measures. The measures are there to protect us from infection," he notes.
He also explained what will happen if someone from Zagreb is found in Bjelovar. "The police have their own procedures. Of course, if they detect such a person, the police will escort them back. They will record them, and they will continue to go to trial," he says.
He also explained what the bus control would look like. “Police will be able to get on the buses and check to see if all passengers have e-passes,” he said.
And what about people who, for example, booked accommodation in Lika from Zagreb? Is it enough for them to show the reservation at the checkpoint, or do they need something else?
"All these citizens must request an e-pass and enclose a paid bill that must be paid by the day the decision takes effect. After that, they have the right and opportunity to obtain a pass," he explained.
Everything you need to know about getting e-passes in Croatia can be found HERE.
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Istriana Award Given to Everyone Fighting on Front Lines Against Coronavirus
December 22, 2020 – Unlike previous years, this year, the Istriana Award was not given to the most successful individuals in the fields of culture, music, health, science and education, economy and sports. Still, it was given to everyone who has been on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus in recent months.
As Istrian County reports, for the 13th time in a row, the Istriana Awards were held in the congress hall of the Park Hotel Histria in Pula, which due to the situation caused by the coronavirus, took place in a completely different way than before.
This year, the Istriana statuette, the work of the Pula academic sculptor Eros Čakić, went to the Department of Infectious Diseases and all health professionals of the Pula General Hospital.
Also, the award was given to the Istrian: Institute of Public Health, the Red Cross, the Institute of Emergency Medicine, the Civil Protection Service, the Istrian Health Centers, the Fire Brigade, the Police Administration, the County Mountain Rescue Service, and the hotel and tourism company Arena Hospitality Group which, immediately after the crisis arose, undertook a series of activities to help the local community cope with the new circumstances.
The winner of the special Istriana Award for great engagement, effort, and commitment is the Chief of the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Istrian County Dino Kozlevac.
"These are the people who work long and hard shifts, 24 hours a day, because of the coronavirus. They are simply a pillar of the health care system. They are the heroes of the situation that befell us. This is our small contribution to express our gratitude to them, and to learn from their example what courage, optimism, and mutual support are," said the initiator of this project, Hina journalist Daniel Sponza, who thanked the Istrian County, but also all Istrian towns that, as every year, supported this project.
Addressing this year's laureates, the acting Istrian prefect Fabrizio Radin emphasized that the 13th Istrian was specific and that it was a matter of awarding prizes by category, as in previous years, it would be given up.
"When I learned that this year Istriana would be awarded to all those who are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, we did not want to give up because it is a big thank you for their risky role, which has no price. Thank you for your humanity and dedication," said Radin.
The Mayor of Pula, Boris Miletić, expressed his satisfaction that he was attending the Istriana Awards for the thirteenth time and congratulated all the laureates.
"When I was a child, I didn't understand the saying that a healthy person has a thousand wishes, and when an illness occurs, only one. Let's stay healthy and be responsible. Congratulations to the Istriana winners," said Mayor Miletić.
On behalf of the Commission for the Istriana Awards, the director of the Pula General Hospital, Dr. Irena Hrstić, addressed the Hippocratic Oath, whose fourth postulate obliges health professionals to dedicate their lives to patients. This year, for ten months, 24 hours a day, they do so.
On the eve of the award ceremony, a six-minute video was shown, which included the activities of all awarded institutions in the fight against COVID -19, while the young Istrian musician Tedi Grubica performed at the award ceremony. The host of the program was Kristijan Nemet. The event was held under the sponsorship of the Istrian County, all cities, and the Istrian Credit Bank Umag.
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Products of Slavonian and Baranja Gastronomic Offer Available Online
December 22, 2020 – Thanks to the internet platforms Eko tržnica and Eceker, domestic products from the rich domestic Slavonian and Baranja gastronomic offer can be ordered to your doorstep even during the coronavirus epidemic.
As Lokalni.hr reports, even during the coronavirus pandemic, products from the rich domestic Slavonian and Baranja gastronomic offer can be ordered online to your doorstep. This is possible thanks to the two internet platforms – Eko tržnica and Eceker, both of which deliver in the area of Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Zagreb. Eko tržnica is a successful project that has been implemented at the Osijek market since 2013, and in the last few years in an online edition. Their phylosophy is that food production must not pollute nature but must return us to nature.
On Eko tržnica and Eceker websites, family farms with ecological certification for food production offer their products. Customers in Croatia are increasingly aware and are looking for products of guaranteed origin, and the goal of the Solidarity Ecological Group, which coordinates buying and selling, is an ethical business, aiming to leave profits in the hands of producers and offer customers products at producer prices.
"By buying local agricultural products, especially at a time when their sales are difficult due to epidemiological measures, we help our family farms, and we provide ourselves and our families with home-grown fruits and vegetables from Slavonian and Baranja fields," said Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Ivan Anušić.
Local food producers have also united through the Eceker platform, where they offer traditional products from Slavonia and Baranja. As in the case of the Eko tržnica, this is a project supported by the Osijek-Baranja County, and both platforms are open for cooperation with local producers in order to further enrich the offer to end customers. Customers can see and order domestic products on the website, and delivery is on the doorstep.
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SIMORA and A1 Croatia Collaborate on Business Incubator in Novska
December 22, 2020 – The Sisak-Moslavina County Development Agency SIMORA and A1 Croatia, a leading technological innovator, have entered into business cooperation to develop the video game industry in the Business Incubator in Novska.
As Jutarnji list reports, SIMORA, a development center for the video game industry, and A1 Hrvatska, a leading technological innovator, have signed a multi-year agreement on cooperation and services exchange.
Business cooperation has common goals: development of the video game industry in the Business Incubator in Novska, including the development of video games on the most modern mobile and fixed technology, promotion of innovations, as well as stronger involvement of ICT industry and video game industry in education, public, and private sector throughout Croatia.
The specific location where the cooperation will take place is the PISMO Business Incubator in Novska, recently declared the best EU co-financed project in Croatia for 2020.
"At a time of unprecedented public health and economic challenges, we are especially pleased that the project of our development agency is recognized by important market participants aimed at digitalization of society, the progress of the local community, and thus the whole of Croatia. I am convinced that the inclusion of A1 Croatia will further accelerate the achievement of the goal of our county becoming a true center of the gaming industry, the fastest growing industry in the world," said Ivo Žinić, prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County.
The PISMO business incubator currently consists of two facilities with about twenty offices, co-working, and conference rooms equipped with the latest technology such as motion capture, photogrammetric and video, and music studio, CNC, 3D printer, VR, and other ICT equipment.
"About forty startups from the gaming industry are already operating in our incubator. It proves that we are succeeding in our intention to give young people the opportunity to stay in Sisak-Moslavina County or a reason to move in. The support provided by our new technological partner A1 Croatia is related, among other things, to access to the most modern mobile and fixed network. This is certainly one of the basic preconditions for our further development and growth in the direction of building a future Gaming campus worth almost 400 million kunas," explains Mario Čelan, director of SIMORA.
In addition to optical fixed infrastructure with access speeds of as much as 1 Gbps, A1 Croatia also ensures the availability of a real 5G network, gigabit speeds, and extremely low latency.
"A1 Croatia is a company that brings innovations and recognizes technological and social trends. So it's no surprise that everything related to the gaming industry has been in our focus for a long time. The potential that we recognized in the PISMO incubator we plan to realize much wider than technical support. In addition to content related to esport and hackathon events, we will organize numerous demonstrations and trainings related to the use of new technologies together. This partnership will certainly be one of the wheels of development of modern, digital society," concludes Tomislav Makar, General Manager for Technology and Information Technologies at A1 Croatia.
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Senior State Officials Receive Bronze Medallist Women's Handball Team
ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - After being welcomed at Zagreb airport, the bronze medallist national women's handball team was received at the National and University Library by President Zoran Milanovic, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac.
Milanovic underscored that the handball team played intelligently. "If I were to compare that to Greek mythology, you would be something between Odysseus and Achilles. Neither the strongest nor the biggest but the best. You had against you Cyclopses who underestimated you. I noticed that that bothered you a lot. Considering I know the Danes, that doesn't surprise me. They are combative and think that weight and size can outwit intelligence and dexterity," said Milanovic.
"Thank you for the joy of the game because sport is first and foremost a game, a love, a passion and only then a state and a nation," he added.
Jandrokovic said that the team brought some joy in these difficult times. "Your victory and success are all the greater because we didn't expect them and there is nothing better in sport then when you are underestimated and arrive as an outsider and then achieve such a great result," he underscored.
Plenkovic said that he followed their games with great pride.
"You have made all of Croatia proud. Thank you for a beautiful sport story. I am truly happy that the women's national team has joined the success of men's handball. Thank you once again and sincere congratulations," said Plenkovic.
Minister Brnjac congratulated the team for this historic medal. "You have confirmed that athletes are our best and greatest ambassadors. This medal has brought us optimism and hope in these times," said Brnjac, congratulating coach Nenad Sostaric and his associates.
Croatia won the bronze medal at the European Women's Handball Championship in Denmark on Sunday after beating the hosts 25-19.
This is the first medal for the Croatian national women's handball team in major competitions.
Croatia has not competed in world women's handball championships since 2011.
Effective Vaccine Whose Benefits Outweigh Possible Risks Available
ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - The director of Croatia's Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED) said on Monday the European Medicines Agency's approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine confirmed that all Croatian citizens could be sure to have access to an effective vaccine whose benefits outweighed possible risks.
Earlier today, EMA recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for the vaccine Comirnaty, developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, to prevent COVID-19 in people from 16 years of age.
EMA’s human medicines committee has completed its rigorous evaluation of Comirnaty, concluding by consensus that sufficiently robust data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine are now available, HALMED said in a press release.
HALMED evaluators have participated in this procedure from the start as members of EMA's scientific commissions and working groups, Tomic said. "After the vaccine is put on the market, we will continue to intensively monitor the efficacy and safety of its application together with the Croatian Institute of Public Health and other regulators in the European Union."
EMA's scientific opinion will be submitted to the European Commission that will decide by tomorrow at the latest to grant marketing authorisation, which will be valid in all EU and European Economic Area member states, including Croatia.
The Comirnaty clinical trial involved around 44,000 people and showed a 95% reduction in the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases in the people who received the vaccine, HALMED said.
The trial also showed around 95% efficacy in the participants at risk of severe COVID-19, including those with asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2.
Comirnaty is given as two injections at least 21 days apart. The most common side effects were usually mild or moderate and got better within a few days after vaccination.
As Comirnaty is recommended for a conditional marketing authorisation, the company that markets it will continue to provide results from the main trial, which is ongoing for two years. This trial and additional studies will provide information on how long protection lasts, how well the vaccine prevents severe COVID-19, how well it protects immunocompromised people, children and pregnant women, and whether it prevents asymptomatic cases.
The company will also carry out studies to provide additional assurance on the pharmaceutical quality of the vaccine as the manufacturing continues to be scaled up. Comirnaty will be closely monitored and subject to several activities that apply specifically to COVID-19 vaccines.
Although large numbers of people have received COVID-19 vaccines in clinical trials, certain side effects may only emerge when millions of people are vaccinated, HALMED said.
Richness of Traditional Croatian Christmas Songs In One Spotify Playlist
December 21, 2020 – Among many other things, Croatia can also be proud of its Christmas music tradition. For the perfect Christmas atmosphere, Croatian musician and guitarist Mihael Majetić singled out 54 of the best traditional Croatian Christmas songs in one Spotify playlist.
Traditional Croatian Christmas songs are considered the most numerous in the world, but it isn't easy to count them because they are mostly preserved by word of mouth. They are a precious and favorite part of the rich Croatian Christmas tradition, but also the Croatian cultural identity, and they belong to the most diverse and beautiful in the world.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many musical events had to be postponed this year, including many Christmas concerts showing their splendor every year. Choral church singing is also limited. However, despite the many negativities that 2020 brought to the Croatian and world music scene, some positive changes have taken place.
One of them is, of course, the arrival of the streaming service Spotify on the Croatian market, which allows Croatians to stream music without interruption, while Croatian musicians have another platform on which their music can be available. Therefore, this year, instead of experiencing live concerts, Croatians can stream music via Spotify. Due to this year's overall situation, traditional Croatian Christmas songs can be listened to exclusively in the pleasant home environment, but this in no way diminishes their beauty.
The incredible repertoire of traditional (but also popular) Croatian Christmas songs is now even more accessible. And to separate them all from the sea of different Christmas songs and gather them in one place, Croatian musician and guitarist with a London address, Mihael Majetić, compiled a playlist of 54 creative and original arrangements of traditional Croatian Christmas songs on Spotify.
A native of the Slavonian city of Valpovo, Mihael attended the Elly Bašić High School of Music in Zagreb and then continued his education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. He graduated last year and currently lives in London.
"The main guiding thought when choosing the songs was the quality of the arrangement and performance. The playlist includes exclusively Croatian traditional songs, but performed in different styles. So, in addition to the classics, you can also hear jazz, salsa, R'n'B, klapa, and tamburitza players. I do not claim that the list is final. I may even adjust it. And I will certainly be grateful if someone contacts me with suggestions that I may have missed," says Mihael, whose interest in the work of other musicians led him to listen to Croatian Christmas albums and thus making this playlist. In addition to performing and teaching guitar, he is also involved in arranging music.
The rich playlist includes some of the most famous names from the Croatian music scene, such as the recently deceased Krunoslav Kićo Slabinac, also one of the first Croatian musicians to record a Christmas album back in 1982. Although he was celebrated for his "bećarac "and rock songs, his album "Christmas with Kićo" became the best-selling Christmas album in the region of all time, with more than half a million copies sold. Out of the 11 Christmas songs from the album, two found their place on this playlist – "U to vrijeme godišta" ("At that time of year") and "Narodi nam se (kralj nebeski)" ("The king of heaven was born"). By the way, these are two very old archaic Croatian songs, and Kićo's versions are adorned with the inevitable overtones of tamburitza in the background.
The song "U to vrijeme godišta", or the old Chakavian form "U se vrime godišča" has its origin in the Latin tune "In hoc ani circulo" from the repertoire of St. Martial in the 11th century in the French city of Limoges. This tune spread from Italy to the Croatian south and from the Czech Republic to the Croatian north. Due to its popularity, it was given an honorary performance before the Christmas Gospel during Holy Mass.
"U to vrijeme godišta", otherwise the most widespread song in all three Croatian dialects (Chakavian, Kajkavian, and Shtokavian), according to musicologist Miha Demović, has a Glagolitic inscription, and the oldest dates from the 14th century. Apart from Kićo's songs, this playlist includes performances by the group Cubismo and composer Igor Kuljerić, conductor Tonči Bilić, and the Croatian Radio and Television Choir. Both versions of the song, Shtokavian and Chakavian, can be found on the playlist performed by the Mostar Cathedral Choir together with the Mostar Symphony Orchestra and composer Nikica Kalogjer, and singer Josipa Lisac and the Ivan Goran Kovačić Choir.
Apart from "U to vrijeme godišta," the song "Narodi nam se" is one of the oldest traditional Croatian Christmas songs. As reported by the Hrvatska katolička mreža (Croatian Catholic Network), and explained by Tihomir Prša, professor of church music at the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, this song dates back to the 13th century. Namely, Christ's name "young king" from the song reminds of the time of Arpadović in Croatia when the Hungarian kings wanted to crown their firstborn king as soon as possible. The expression "young year" reminds of the time when the new year began in Croatia on Christmas, and it was not after the 13th century. All worship services and all Croatian Christmas albums conclude with it.
The already mentioned performers also found a place on this playlist with the performances of the song "Narodi nam se se", and the performance of the Croatian singer Marija Husar from her album "Plesni Božić "("Dance Christmas") from 2009 is lovely.
The song "Kyrie eleison" which translated from Greek means "Lord, have mercy", is also one of the most famous Croatian Christmas songs, despite the Greek title and parts of the song in Greek. According to the first manuscript, it originates from the 19th century in Međimurje, and professor Prša reveals that the song was written by the Kolaj family. The author of the word was organist Janko Kolaj from Kotoriba. His son Ambrozius wrote down the words of a song from 1835.
Of the other traditional Croatian Christmas songs, the most famous are "Radujte se narodi" (Rejoice, people), "Veselje ti navješćujem" (I announce joy to you), "Svim na Zemlji" (To all on Earth), "Djetešce nam se rodilo" (A child was born), "Oj pastiri, čudo novo" (Oh shepherd, a new miracle). The only foreign song that is sung during the Christmas Mass in Croatia is "Silent Night". Christmas songs have a special meaning for Croats because they express their faith and find haven in them.
In addition to the already mentioned performers, the playlist includes performances by singer Marko Tolja, singer Mia Dimšić, composer Igor Geržina, pianist Matija Dedić, Jazz Orchestra of the Croatian Radio and Television (Big Band), music duo Marko & Laci featuring Zita and Ivana, composer Anđelko Igrec, the only organ duo in Croatia – Quattro Obbligato, and Klapa Luka Ploče.
To follow Mihael Majetić, visit his profiles on Spotify, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as his website.
To read more news about Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Beros: COVID Crisis Has Cost Health System HRK 927.4 mn
ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros said on Monday that the COVID crisis had so far cost the health system HRK 927.4 million.
Data show that by December 18, HRK 574.4 million was spent on testing, HRK 268.9 million on treatment and more than HRK 83 million on sick leaves, Beros said at the national COVID-19 crisis management team's press conference.
He also said that a meeting was being held at the Health Ministry with drug wholesalers regarding the health system's debt to them.
Beros said that the number of new COVID-19 infections had started dropping.
The average number of services provided in all health institutions in Croatia is at 67.21% compared to the second week of December 2019.
"These are encouraging data as they show that despite the burden of COVID-19 positive patients we are finding ways, strength and opportunities to respond to other needs, especially in oncology," Beros said.
Despite the fact that the health system has completely adapted to COVID patients, the number of services provided in Zagreb's hospitals is at 74% compared to the second week of December last year, and only the KB Dubrava hospital, which is completely focused on treating coronavirus patients, has provided 11% of other services.
Other patients using KB Dubrava's services, 3,993 of them, have been sent to other health institutions via the call centre, Beros said.
He added that there were also institutions like the Magdalena Clinic which is at 119% of provided services due to taking over some of KB Dubrava's cardiac surgery patients.
Beros said there would be no changes regarding the realisation of the right of health workers to a full salary after getting infected with COVID.
He said that all those who had got infected at work would receive 100% of their salary, but they have to ask their employer for confirmation.
(€1= HRK 7.5)
Capak: First Batch of Pfizer Vaccine to Consist of 9,750 Doses
ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - The first batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered to Croatia on December 26, and the 9,750 doses will be distributed among the counties taking into account the size of their population, Croatian Public Health Institute (HZJZ) director Krunoslav Capak said on Monday.
"A total of 9,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be sent to Croatia on December 26. We will try to vaccinate as many people as possible with this symbolic dose," Capak told a press conference of the national COVID-19 response team.
This symbolic first batch will not be enough to vaccinate the whole first priority group of people in Croatia. "The vaccine will primarily be administered to care home residents, some of the emergency medical workers and some of the health workers in COVID centres," Capak said.
Capak noted that Pfizer had pledged to deliver additional supplies on December 31 which would be used to vaccinate the whole first priority group. He said that discussions were under way on the vaccination of the second priority group, including people suffering from chronic diseases and those older than 65 years.
Capak pointed out that 27% fewer new coronavirus infections had been recorded in the week from December 15 to 21 than in the previous week.
Croatia has the third highest 14-day COVID-19 incidence rate and the ninth highest mortality rate in the European Union.
Bozinovic: Special Instructions for Orthodox Christmas if Required
ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - The head of the national COVID response team, Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic on Monday said that the government had agreed with Orthodox Church dignitaries that if required, special epidemiological instructions for Orthodox Christmas would be defined in the first week of January.
"As far as Orthodox Christmas is concerned... government representatives contacted Orthodox Church dignitaries and it was agreed that if required, special instructions will be defined in the first week of January, depending on epidemiological developments and the specificities of Orthodox liturgy," Bozinovic said.
He said that by 10 am 1,120 calls, 5,600 e-mails and a total of 10,848 applications had been received related to passes for travel within the country.
Asked whether criminal charges had been filed against the founder of the Index.hr web portal Matija Babic, who called for churches to be burnt down, Bozinovic said that the police were familiar with that post and that they were taking action within their remit.
He recalled that Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butkovic had, in agreement with Prime Minister Andrej Plenovic, made a decision on a 48-hour ban on passenger flights from Great Britain due to the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus in that country.
