ZAGREB, Nov 27, 2020 - Compensation measures for businesses affected by the new lockdown are expected to be discussed over the weekend and presented to employer organisations early next week and then to the public, Labour Minister Josip Aladrovic said after a meeting on Friday.

The meeting involved ministers from economy-related departments and representatives of the Croatian Employers Association (HUP), the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK), the Voice of Entrepreneurs association and associations of bar and restaurant owners.

The associations are seeking compensation for losses to be incurred during the lockdown.

"We have taken note of all the proposals and are taking a time out over the weekend to come up with concrete proposals," Aladrovic said.

The job keeping measures in the form of between HRK 2,000 and 4,000 for workers' wages remain in force, but will cover more people, and additional funds will also be provided, he added.

He said that Economy Minister Tomislav Coric and the SMEs agency HAMAG-BICRO had agreed an additional allocation of funds for "COVID loans" to help maintain short-term and medium-term liquidity.

Aladrovic said that two models of compensation were presented at today's meeting, which had already been presented to the media, and that they would be examined in light of budget constraints. He added that he expected that some room would be found in the budget and that the government would be able to help the affected sectors.

However, he said it was hard to believe that either model would be accepted in its entirety, but he was confident that a consensus would be reached.

Aladrovic said that all the participants in the meeting had shown understanding for the government's position, adding that measures would be defined over the next few days.

"The measures adopted so far have been timely and adequate and will be so in the future. Any raising of tensions is neither necessary nor acceptable," Aladrovic said when asked by the press whether it wasn't strange that these measures were not already in place.

Finance Minister Zdravko Maric said that dialogue would be much easier if it was known how long the coronavirus pandemic would last. He reiterated that the state budget must be strong and flexible enough to respond to all the challenges ahead.

Maric said that the measures for businesses affected by the latest restrictions and their fiscal effect would be presented next week. He said that the latest measures would be in force until December 21 and were narrower in scope than the spring lockdown.

The head of the national association of bar and restaurant owners, Marin Medak, said that everyone at the meeting had realised that the situation could not be resolved "with a snap of one's fingers" and that no agreement could be reached today. He expressed hope that agreement would be reached next week to the satisfaction of both the government and bar and restaurant owners. 

Two models of compensation

Bar and restaurant owners on Thursday proposed two sets of measures to help them survive the new 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.

ZAGREB, Nov 27, 2020 - Parliament on Friday gave the green light for the deployment of Croatian army personnel to nine international peacekeeping missions in 2021 and 2022.

The proposal was put forward under six decisions each of which was put to a vote. They received between 108 and 112 votes in favour.

The peacekeeping operations in question are: the UN's KFOR operation in Kosovo, the EU's Sea Guardian mission in the Mediterranean, NATO's Forward Enhanced Presence in Poland, Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2, EU Naval Force Somalia Atalanta, and UN peacekeeping operations.

The ruling majority rejected the amendments submitted by the Social Democratic Party and the Green-Left Bloc proposing that the government submit to parliament an annual report on peacekeeping operations involving the Croatian armed forces.

Parliament accepted the explanation by the State Secretary at the Defence Ministry, Zdravko Jakup, that the government would report on the participation of Croatian army personnel in international peace mission in an annual report on defence as had been the case so far.

November 27, 2020 – Vis islanders are these days not surprised to receive guests who come from all over the world, but the mysterious arrival of a crocodile has raised eyebrows and caused big-teethed smiles

For thousands of years, the inhabitants of Vis island have led a comparatively unharassed existence. They fished in the richly stocked waters that surround them and planted vines and other crops in the island's soils, such day-today activities unaffected by whichever empire decided to lay claim to the rock. Being the inhabited island which lies furthest from the Croatian mainland might have contributed to so many carefree days. That's not to say that nobody ever goes there.

Today a popular tourist destination, over the last few decades Vis island has welcomed visitors from all over the world. Although, the latest exotic arrival doesn't look to have come by budget airline. Found on a boat near the village of Brgujac, a young crocodile has caused bewilderment among island residents over recent days.


Brgujac. The epicentre of Vis island's punk-croc scene? © Tourist Board island Vis

Snapped on the waterfront of Brgujac and posted to the Facebook group 'Moj otok Vis (My island Vis)', the uncommon visitor has raised both eyebrows and merriment. Nobody is quite sure how the crocodile got here, not least the sailor on whose boat the crocodile was found.

Nobody knows of anyone keeping a crocodile as a pet on the island. The sailor and his boat haven't travelled anywhere that far over recent weeks. Vis island's long distance from the Croatian coast does theoretically place it closer to the African continent, where a crocodile might be more naturally found. But it's only relatively nearer. Africa is still over 1500 kilometres away. This youngster doesn't look to be capable of making such a swim. And, besides, although some do live in saltwater - most crocodiles prefer to spend their time in freshwater.

While the mystery of where the young crocodile came from is being solved, he's been taken off the sailor's boat. The crocodile was initially placed in the care of workers from the municipal company Gradina.

November 27, 2020 – A towering Zagreb Christmas tree has been placed on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića in the heart of the Croatian capital. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

A towering Zagreb Christmas tree has been placed on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. It arrives in time for the start of the Advent season, which begins officially this weekend.

Standing between 15 metres and 20 metres in height, the Zagreb Christmas tree is so impressive it might just rival the famous statue of Josip Jelačić himself as the most eyecatching monument on the square. By the time its lights are added, we certainly wouldn't put money on Josip for the title.

A giant Christmas tree is a traditional December sight on this main square at the heart of the Croatian capital. Although it's not the only one. There are usually around 40 Christmas trees placed in public parks and squares around the city, Zagreb doesn't do Christmas half-heartedly.

Advent celebrations in the city usually commence with the lighting of a candle by the Manduševac water feature on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. The appearance of this first flame is the marker for the city's Christmas lights to be turned on, including those of the Zagreb Christmas tree.

We can't be sure if the Zagreb Christmas tree that now stands on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića is exactly the same one, but it does look remarkably like a giant pine tree moved from private property on Gradišćanska ulica a couple of days ago. If it is that pine, then one local resident reckons the Zagreb Christmas tree is over 35 years old. It towered above the dwelling in whose grounds it lay. Local residents were sad to see it go. But, during a year in which Zagreb has experienced its strongest earthquake in 100 years, plus hundreds of aftershocks, it's perhaps understandable why the landowners were willing to let this giant go. Two younger pine trees remain on the plot.




This article's final two photos were taken by © Zoran Stajčić

November 27, 2020 - Chief of the Civil Protection Headquarters Davor Bozinovic announced that they are currently discussing penalties for violating COVID-19 measures in Croatia.

Index.hr reports that the National Civil Protection Headquarters held a regular press conference on the coronavirus in Croatia. In the last 24 hours, 4,080 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection were recorded, and the number of active cases in Croatia today is a total of 22,408. Forty-eight people died.

Since February 25, 2020, when the first case was recorded in Croatia, a total of 119,706 people infected with the coronavirus have been recorded to date, 1,600 have died and a total of 95,698 have recovered, of which 3,349 in the last 24 hours. There are currently 51,514 people in self-isolation. To date, a total of 724,820 people have been tested, of which 11,091 in the last 24 hours.

"Today we have 4080 cases. We calculate weekly averages. In the last week, the increase is 15 percent. Our incidence is in the 24th place on the list of European countries, only three countries have a higher incidence," said Krunoslav Capak. "Only Bulgaria has a higher share of positives among those tested than us. We are somewhere in the middle in terms of mortality," adds Capak.

"The trend is important. If we have a downward trend, we can talk about easing the measures," he added.

Markotic says that it is possible for the coronavirus to become a seasonal disease.

"Now we see a much more difficult clinical picture, we have a lot of deaths. We will see what the vaccine will do. The problem is how many people will be vaccinated. If people get vaccinated and are responsible, we will eradicate the virus. Otherwise, it could occur seasonally," said Alemka Markotić.

Minister Bozinovic commented on the measures.

"The decision on sports centers was made based on talks with all departments. We must reduce the number of people in contact for longer. Private gatherings can only remain at the level of recommendations, although it would be best not to have private contacts at all," Bozinovic said. "Measures are adopted so that where people stay indoors longer, they socialize less and are less in close contact, except for what is necessary for the functioning of the economy," Bozinovic added.

"I am asking you to point out the risk of socializing indoors, talking, singing and other activities of that kind, where the virus spreads much faster than in summer," Bozinovic added. “The main problem is family gatherings, and we can only solve that problem by appealing,” he says.

Penalties are introduced for anyone that violates measures

"We have been addressing the public for 9 months so that everyone accepts these simple measures - masks, hygiene and distance. Inspections and police will be much more visible than before; we meet daily, they can't act on new measures until midnight. After midnight, the emphasis will be on facilities where more people are expected - shopping malls and centers. I'm sure this phase will be marked by a little stricter actions of inspectors and police," Bozinovic said.

"Today we are holding a working group to amend the Law on the Spread of Infectious Diseases. The topic is penalties for violating measures. We will soon change part of the Law and introduce penalties," Bozinovic said.

"These would be penalties which, in my opinion, should be mandatory, to be imposed on the spot. It will also concern wearing masks. There will be sanctions. I cannot be exact now and have the working group correct me tomorrow. The proposal will be made and will be sent to the government for urgent consideration. It is certain that there will be more serious penalties," Bozinovic explained.

To read more about coronavirus in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, Nov 27, 2020 - Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Tomislav Coric has won the confidence of the parliament following a no-confidence vote on Friday.

Fifty-one MPs voted in favour of the no confidence motion of the necessary 76 votes for the motion to be adopted, while 76 voted against. There were no abstentions.

"I declare that the decision on showing no confidence in Minister Coric has not been adopted," Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said after the vote.

The no confidence motion was launched by 40 opposition lawmakers claiming that Coric had granted preferential treatment to the investor in the Krs-Padjene wind park, for unlawful employment, and for a possible violation of the principle of impartiality when he participated in the re-appointment of Dragan Kovacevic as head of the JANAF oil pipeline company, as well as favouring the Hungarian MOL company at the detriment of the Croatian oil company INA.

During the debate in parliament, Coric denied all the claims while Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic referred to the opposition's arguments as ridiculous adding that Coric enjoyed his full confidence.

"Minister Coric is a good person and has my support," Plenkovic said then.

Coric also enjoys the support of his party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) , which was confirmed on Friday by HDZ whip Branko Bacic.

Bacic said that during the two-day debate on the no confidence motion, the opposition did not prove any unlawfulness in Coric's work. We managed to prove that a coalition exists on the political scene between the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Homeland Movement (DP), Bridge, Sovereignists and Workers' Front, said Bacic.

The leaders of these parties rejected Bacic's claims.

MP Tomislav Tomasevic of the Green-Left Bloc underlined that Minister Coric has become a burden not just to the government but to the entire country too. He himself admitted that he is not competent for that portfolio. It is obvious he granted preferential treatment to the Krs-Padjene investor with whom he ate and drank in an illegal bar owned by the director of a public company that he as minister was responsible for, said Tomasevic.

The public has said that it does not trust this minister and he is the most unpopular minister in the government, added Tomasevic.

ZAGREB, Nov 27, 2020 - In the past 24 hours Croatia has registered a record number of 4,080 new coronavirus cases while 48 people have died, the national COVID response team reported on Friday.

There are a total of 22,408 active cases in the country, including 2,240 in hospital treatment of whom, 266 are on ventilators.

Since 25 February, when the first case was registered in Croatia, a total of 119,706 people have contracted the virus, 1,600 have died and 95,698 have recovered, including 3,349 in the past 24 hours. There are currently 51,514 in self-isolation.

A total of 724,820 tests have been conducted to date, with 11,091 taken in the past 24 hours.

ZAGREB, Nov 27, 2020 - Ahead of a convention of the domestic tourist industry next week, the Croatian Tourism Association (HUT) has welcomed the decision by the government and the national coronavirus response team to allow hotels and campsites to continue operating, following the latest restrictions aimed at curbing the coronavirus outbreak.

"Fully aware of the seriousness of the health situation, we welcome the decision by the government and the national coronavirus response team for the continuation of work of hotels and campsites. We believe that this is the result of adherence to measures and the highly professional behaviour of tourist workers during the past tourist season when we hosted more than a million guests a day, without any of the guests contracting the virus in commercial accommodation establishments," HUT director Veljko Ostojic told Hina.

He said that the HUT also supported the announcement by the government of additional compensation measures for hospitality establishments that were ordered to shut down as part of the latest epidemiological measures.

"In order to be ready for the next tourist season, and in anticipation of the vaccination of a considerable portion of the population of Croatia and the EU, we expect further support for job preservation until at least 1 April 2021," Ostojic said.

Asked about hoteliers' expectations for December, he said that as far as the epidemiological situation in the hotels was concerned, they did not expect any difficulties considering the measures already in place and the expected volume of tourist turnover.

Ostojic said that expectations for the post-pandemic period and the tourism development strategy would be discussed at the convention of hoteliers and campsite operators, which will be held online on 1 and 2 December.