Virtual Restaurants Opening in Croatia as an Alternative to New Measures
November 30, 2020 – As of Saturday, all restaurants are closed due to new stricter epidemiological measures, but it seems like the gastro scene is still vibrant, as there are some new virtual restaurants opening in Croatia.
Although virtual restaurants existed long before the coronavirus pandemic, it was during the pandemic that their market flourished due to the growing delivery market. Restaurant owners have started renting kitchens and cooking exclusively for delivery, and those restaurants are also called "dark kitchens" or cloud, ghost, or delivery-only restaurants.
However, just like visitors of classic restaurants, virtual restaurants visitors enjoy the overall experience, because, on online delivery services, everything looks like you are ordering food from a real restaurant. From branding to menus, everything works like delivery from a real restaurant, not from a catering or food factory. The only difference is that a virtual restaurant physically doesn’t exist anywhere.
Virtual Thai restaurant
The advantages of this restaurant model are obvious, especially during the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. Some restaurants in Croatia have turned to this business model too.
As Jutarnji list reported, Bistro 5, one of the first virtual restaurants in Croatia was opened in March in the middle of the first closure of catering facilities. The team of the Zagreb restaurant Pod Zidom then devised and launched a virtual version of the restaurant in just half a day. They continued their work under the name Bistro 5, and for the new virtual restaurant, they designed a special new menu, different from their previous menu in their physical restaurant.
After the re-closing of catering facilities, the team behind Zagreb's restaurants Pod Zidom and Ficlek decided to launch a new virtual restaurant. This time it is a Thai restaurant called Siam Thai, and delivery starts tomorrow. For now, their offer will only be available via delivery. The owner of Borna Janeš said to Jutarnji list that the opening of a Thai restaurant has been his long-term wish and that this whole uncertain situation has only accelerated the process.
Due to current measures, he has closed its restaurant Pod zidom for now, but neighboring Ficlek is still making delivery via Wolt delivery service, and food from Siam Thai restaurant will be available in the same way.
Targeted at younger people
Another first virtual restaurant in Croatia opened in June in Crikvenica under the name Manjon. The owners of the cult restaurant Rubin Kitchen&Wine decided to expand their top offer, but for delivery, they lowered prices, reported Večernji list.
Also, as reported by Kult Plave Kamenice, a series of three new virtual restaurants were opened by the team behind the restaurants SoHo Sushi and Hanami. Their first virtual restaurant, Cali burger, is dedicated only to burgers with two side dishes. The second one, Ribs for Cribs, is specialized for ribs, and Dixie Chicken in fried chicken.
These restaurants are precisely targeted at younger audiences, with the simplest formats and genres reminiscent of America’s most popular fast-food chains. All of them are already available on the Wolt delivery service and should be available on other platforms soon. Owner Igor Čimbur and his associates announced that they will soon launch new concepts.
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Croatia Registers 1,830 New Coronavirus Infections, Record 74 Deaths
ZAGREB, Nov 30, 2020 - Over the past 24 hours, Croatia has registered 1,830 new cases of the coronavirus infection and a record number of 74 deaths linked to the infection, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Monday.
The number of active cases in Croatia stands at 21,457. There are 2,358 COVID patients in hospital, including 255 on ventilators.
Since February 25, when Croatia registered its first case of the infection, a total of 128,442 people have contracted coronavirus, 1,786 of them have died, and 105,199 have recovered, including 3,361 in the last 24 hours, according to a tally kept by the COVID-19 crisis management team.
Currently, 46,802 people are self-isolating.
To date, 749,346 people have been tested for coronavirus, including 5,027 over the past 24 hours.
Proposals to Employers on Monday, They Insist on Any of Their Two Models
ZAGREB, November 30, 2020 - Economy Minister Tomislav Coric said on Sunday evening that during the weekend, the government's delegation led by Finance Minister Zdravko Maric had listened to the proposals of employers for measures to ease their situation after the imposition of tighter anti-COVID restrictions.
Coric told the RTL commercial broadcaster that the government was fully aware of the adverse impact of the latest epidemic prevention measures on certain businesses and that the government would propose compensatory measures on Monday.
We will continue implementing the scheme of grants in the amount of HRK 4,000 per employee per month, the minister said and that employers will have access to the so-called COVID loans and that some of their fixed costs would be covered through the assistance provided by the government.
All those proposals will be discussed during their meetings on Monday.
HUP expects gov't to accept one of their models of compensation
The Croatian Employment Association (HUP) said on Monday morning that they would insist on the the acceptance of any of the two models presented by bar and restaurant owners last Thursday to help them survive the new partial lockdown, saying that otherwise many of them would go bankrupt.
The first model envisages long-term compensation by slashing VAT to 5% for three years and to 13% over a longer term, and providing job-retention aid until April 2021, i.e. HRK 4,000 per employee and writing off taxes and contributions until 1 May 2021.
They also proposed compensation of €10 per square metre of their establishment, COVID loans to ensure liquidity for three years and a moratorium on loan payments for businesses which are not allowed to work.
The second model envisages ensuring revenue for entrepreneurs in the amount of 50% of their turnover at the same time last year as a direct grant which would also be used for salaries, including a contribution write-off.
This model also envisages exemption from all fixed liabilities for the duration of the lockdown, including rent and utilities. Exemption from parafiscal levies was also proposed.
Cities to Implement Strategy to Reduce Outdoor Lighting Pollution
ZAGREB, November 30, 2020 - All towns and cities in Croatia will have to carry out strategies for reducing light pollution whereby they are expected to determine shorter periods for lighting or dim lights to 50% of their brightness, the Vecernji List daily reported on Monday.
Controlling the brightness of lighting is regulated by the rules on the illumination of public spaces and the rules are envisaged by the law on light pollution protection, adopted last year, the daily says.
In both the rural and urban areas, most of the lighting is supposed to be turned off or dimmed for at least three hours.
Controlling the brightness of the lighting will be conducted in residential areas, industrial and trade zones and along transport infrastructure in accordance with the intensity of activities.
The urban centres with commercial character with a high intensity of activities at night can have lighting dimmed.
Brightness of decorative illumination installations can be reduced or turned off, and landscape lighting must be turned off.
Ex-Croatian President Calls for Solidarity in Efforts to Suppress Coronavirus
ZAGREB, November 30, 2020 - Former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on Monday called for solidarity in the struggle against COVID-19 pandemic, and underscored the importance of vaccines to immunise the population.
"I believe that it is not easy to those who make decisions on (anti-COVID) measures, since it is necessary to strike a balance between the public health and economic implications. One should make it clear that all this is not about measures but it concerns the responsibility of individuals and the general public. No measure can be successful unless it is respected by citizens," said Grabar-Kitarovic, a member of the International Olympic Committee, before the start of a conference on investments in sports, which is taking place in Zagreb.
She called for the compliance with the measures and for solidarity with those who are at the highest risk of infection.
Considering the matter of vaccination, she said that she and her family would get jabs as soon as it could be possible.
Asked by the press whether she trusted the national COVID-19 crisis management team, Grabar-Kitarovic answered in the affirmative and called for following advice given by experts.
Green Plan for Croatian Economy - Investment Focus on 3 Key Areas
November the 30th, 2020 - The Croatian economy has been dealt a very heavy blow this year as a result of the ongoing pandemic and all of the economic downturn caused by it. Despite that, the proverbial show must go on and investments must continue in order to pull ourselves out of this unprecedented situation. What are the main points of focus for the Croatian economy within the much talked about Green Plan?
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes, Vladimir Nisevic, the editor-in-chief of Poslovni Dnevnik, pointed out that Croatia's destiny, both in terms of recovering from the economic difficulties which have ensued since the coronavirus crisis took hold, and the Green Plan, is closely linked to the European Union (EU) as a whole and therefore the Green Plan and its implementation in Croatia are even more significant.
Ivo Miletic, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Economy and Sustainable Development, emphasised that the European Green Plan is a big step forward in regard to energy transformation, and as such the idea opens up a number of opportunities for the Croatian economy, and we must all adapt to it readily in order to benefit to the fullest extent possible.
"Croatia is also sensitive to the threats posed by climate change, which is why we've adhered to the provisions of the Green Plan, which doesn't leave any European Union member state behind, but instead provides everyone with an opportunity for development.
Stricter environmental standards await us, primarily in regard to the reduction of CO2 emissions, and the goals will almost certainly be higher and thus need to be adjusted. We will focus on efficient construction, decarbonised energy and clean transport.
The EU will commit a minimum of 100 billion euros in this budget perspective for precisely this purpose, and at least 30 percent of the money from the Next Generation programme, out of a total of 700 billion euros, will be directed to numerous green projects.
The situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic has also shown how vulnerable energy supply routes actually are, and it has once again highlighted the fact that decentralised renewable energy projects are necessary and strategic and will continue to be the focus of the Croatian Government,'' concluded Miletic.
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Brac Olive Oil Producers Launch Humanitarian Action for Croatian Hospital Workers
November 30, 2020 - Brac olive oil producers are coming together during the holiday season to show their appreciation for Croatian hospital workers.
Morski.hr reports that Brac olive oil producers have decided to lighten the mood in these difficult times with one admirable humanitarian gesture. Thus, they have decided to offer the most precious thing they have, the fruit of their labor - olive oil - to the diligent employees of Croatian hospitals.
"In order to make the holiday season more cheerful, a humanitarian action was launched where Brac citizens can donate their olive oil to the Clinical Hospital Centers in Croatia, or to the hardworking people who work in them, especially in these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. All towns on the island of Brac are included in the action, and the coordination is taken over by the Tourist Boards," announced the Municipality of Bol Tourist Board.
"If you want to participate in this humanitarian action 'Brac oil for hardworking people' (or in the Brac dialect, 'Bročko uje za vridne jude'), please bring the amount of olive oil you would like to donate (minimum 1 liter) to the Tourist Board of Bol office, from Monday, November 30, 2020, to Friday, December 4, 2020, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.
It would be best if the oil is packaged in glass, but it is not necessary. Place your labels on the packaging, and if you don't have any, the children from the "Little Prince" Kindergarten will draw them for you for this occasion.
After the collection is completed, olive oil will be distributed to the Clinical Hospital Centers in Croatia, and we will of course inform you about the exact destinations and quantities.
Let our oil bring joy and make the holidays more beautiful for all who care about our health and to all who, unfortunately, will spend these holidays separated from their loved ones," said the Bol Tourist Board.
"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who will respond to this truly commendable action!"
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Rapid Antigen Coronavirus Testing Begins in Zagreb Schools
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 30th of November, 2020, today, rapid antigen tests will be conducted for the first time in Zagreb schools. The institutions in which the testing will be carried out will be both primary and secondary schools.
Iva Milardovic Stimac, assistant head of the Education Office of the City of Zagreb, said that the City of Zagreb wants to conduct a short preliminary or pilot study on the presence of coronavirus in Zagreb schools among students and staff. The testing will be conducted in fifteen schools.
"Today it is time to test in three Zagreb schools. 587 students and staff will be tested. Negative results won't seek to be further confirmed by a PCR test, and positive ones will need to go on to be confirmed again by a PCR test,'' said Milardovic Stimac in conversation with HRT.
“The City of Zagreb, in cooperation with the Dr. Andrija Stampar Institute and the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Medicine, will conduct a preliminary study on the prevalence of coronavirus among students and employees of primary and secondary schools across the City of Zagreb.
Testing with rapid antigen tests will be conducted by employees of the Dr. Andrija Stampar Institute from November the 30th to December the 4th, 2020, in fifteen schools in the City of Zagreb. In each of these fiftee Zagreb schools, eight of them primary and seven of them secondary schools, 120 students will be tested with the prior consent of their parents, as well as 20 employees who will be chosen by random selection.
The aim of this testing is to obtain information on the presence of the virus in Zagreb schools on a representative sample, on the basis of which further epidemiological measures will be determined in the schools of the City of Zagreb,'' she wrote.
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As EU Closes Doors, BiH Skiing Season Opens, Hopes for Croatian Skiers
November the 30th, 2020 - The European Union might be closing down in the face of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, but neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, which isn't a member of the bloc, is hoping for Croatian skiers as their skiing season kicks off.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the ski season opened on Jahorina near Sarajevo on Sunday after the use of the artificial snow system enabled the "Poljice" trail to fall into function, which should be available to skiers for both day and night skiing. Ohher trails will open gradually, depending on the level of snowfall in the area.
The management of the Jahorina Olympic Centre hopes that this year it will manage to attract a large number of winter sport lovers, particularly Croatian skiers, especially after the announcement that popular ski resorts across Europe will remain closed at least until January the 10th, 2021, according to SibenikIN.
"Ski resorts in France have announced that they will be closed. It's the first time that people who have skied so far in France, Italy and Austria are booking their accommodation in Jahorina and that isn't a small number of people. According to the information we have now, booking is better this year than it was last year,'' Sanja Ceremidzic, a spokeswoman for OC Jahorina told Hina.
The company believes that they will be helped to fill all their capacities by offering a "coronavirus guarantee" for purchased tickets for their ski resorts. This means that in case Bosnia and Herzegovina closes its borders or a guest becomes infected with SARS-CoV-2, they will be able to cancel the use of their purchased ski pass and transfer it to the 2021/22 season or get a refund of 80 percent of the amount paid instead.
Otherwise, a daily ski pass on Jahorina for adults in the height of the season is around 200 kuna and 900 kuna for the week.
Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have decided not to impose additional restrictive measures to control the spread of the pandemic, given that the existing ones are yielding results, so they are counting on popular ski destinations in the country to attract more visitors from neighbouring countries, with Croatian skiers high on the list.
The prices of ski passes on Vlasic in central Bosnia are even lower, and this area was previously an attractive destination for many Croatian skiers and other tourists, especially those from Dalmatia.
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VIDEO: Drive-in COVID-19 Testing Begins at Split Ferry Port
November 30, 2020 - Drive-in COVID-19 testing begins at Split Ferry Port this morning. A closer look into opening day.
Drive-in COVID-10 testing has begun at the Split Ferry Port on the external berth for cruisers.
Dalmatinski Portal reported that on opening morning, there were no significant crowds (yet). Cars enter from the east where they form a row and wait in line. A pedestrian passage is provided for walk-ins on the north side. Ferry port workers are on hand to assist with instructions.
Citizens started arriving at 7 am, and even before the testing began, over 20 cars were waiting in line. By the way, there are two queues for testing, one where you come by car, the other where citizens can come on foot.
The new testing center is open from 7 am to 1 pm, the Split-Dalmatia County Civil Protection Headquarters announced on Sunday.
Drive-in COVID-19 testing is available to patients who have ordered tests exclusively online with a referral.
Testing from Križine Hospital has been transferred to the Split Ferry Port, so there will be no testing at Križine as of Monday, T.portal added.
Slobodna Dalamacija reports that many Split residents continued coming to Križine for testing, even though they were informed not to.
"Everyone who has been referred through their family doctors must go to the City Port for testing. But many did not listen and came to NZJZ where a huge crowd was created," said Željka Karin, director of NZJZ.
Sources: Dalmatinski Portal, Dalmacija Danas, T.portal
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