March 28, 2021 - The Croatian Institute of Public Health has changed the recommendations on priorities for COVID-19 testing and announces new rules for vaccinated people and COVID-19 recoveries in Croatia. 

N1 reports that the Croatian Institute of Public Health (CNIPH) has announced that the exemption from testing and quarantine is being extended for all those who have recovered from COVID-19 or have been vaccinated against it. According to the new recommendations, instead of the previous three months, it is unnecessary to go into quarantine or test for six months after recovering from COVID-19 or receiving the vaccination against it.

Also, the CNIPH states that the UK variant of the virus has been removed from the list of variants for which quarantine lasts 14 days and for which testing is mandatory upon completion of quarantine.

Other rules have not changed, and to reduce the spread of infection, all patients' close contacts are referred to health surveillance in quarantine/self-isolation. Close contacts that are part of a collective in which it is essential to assess the extent of infection or work with a vulnerable population are recommended to be tested by PCR test or rapid antigen test within five days of exposure.

Close contacts are subject to health surveillance in quarantine/self-isolation for ten days from the last close contact with an infected person, according to the CNIPH.

However, there are some exceptions. Based on the history or results of a screening test for new variants, if it is suspected that a patient is infected with a variant of the virus with a higher potential for spread, contact quarantine lasts 14 days from the last contact with an infected person. Close contacts of persons who are sequenced to be infected with a variant of concern should be tested on the last day of quarantine. Currently, this applies to the Brazilian and South African variants of the virus.

Detailed recommendations of the CNIPH on handling contacts of infected persons and termination of self-isolation/quarantine can be read HERE.

For the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia, CLICK HERE.

March 28, 2021 - For the second time in his career, Stipe Miocic loses the UFC heavyweight title, this time after a brutal knockout by Francis Ngannou.

Stipe Miocic suffered a heavy defeat in the fight for the UFC title in a rematch against Francis Ngannou. The Cameroonian defeated Miocic with a brutal knockout at the beginning of the second round. 

Stipe shut down as the blow landed straight on his chin. Ngannou wanted to make sure he was the new champion and threw himself at Stipe, hitting him once more before Herb Dean interrupted the fight. 

It was a very weak showing by Miocic, who fired only a few punches in just under six minutes. Ngannou was dominant from the first to the last second of the fight, while Miocic was passive - and the fact that he did not fire a single hit in the first round speaks volumes.

Francis Ngannou deservedly won the UFC title. He adjusted his style and tactics, responded to Miocic's strength in their first fight, and used his greatest qualities in the best way. 

So, what does this mean for Stipe? 

Stipe Miocic has defended the heavyweight belt four times and lost it twice so far - but will he have time to win it back?

At 38 years old, Stipe does not have too much time left to achieve great things in his career. He has already shown why he was called the best UFC heavyweight in history, and there is no need to prove himself. If he had beaten Ngannou at UFC 260, another fight would have awaited him, a super-fight against Jon Jones.

After the fight, Ngannou himself expressed his desire to fight Jon Jones, which could be the best-selling UFC fight in history. Stipe will still have to wait for the winner of that duel for his superfight, be it a trilogy with Ngannou or a coveted match with Jones for the best in history.

The only chance to see Stipe with Jones first is for Dana White to give a chance to Derrick Lewis, who had already beaten Ngannou right after Miocic in 2018.

We’ll see if Stipe, meanwhile, accepts a fight against someone other than Ngannou or Jones. It is increasingly likely that the legendary fighter will wait until the end of this year or 2022 for another last chance for immortality.

Stipe will be remembered as one of the greatest, no matter how he ended his career, and to the Croatian fans, along with the legendary Cro Cop, there is no better fighter.

Source: Gol.hr

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

March 27, 2021 - In their 2nd qualifier for the 2022 World Cup, Croatia defeats Cyprus 1:0 in Rijeka. 

Croatia met Cyprus at Rujevica Stadium in Rijeka in the 2nd round of Group H of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Zlatko Dalic's side had a shocking display in Ljubljana on Wednesday, losing to Slovenia to open the qualifications and immediately complicated their road to the World Cup. Recall, only the group winner qualifies directly for Qatar.

Dalić mixed things up on Saturday, opting for a 4-3-3 formation instead. Duje Ćaleta-Car, Mario Pašalić, Josip Brekalo, and Ante Budimir were new to the starting eleven, while Domagoj Vida, Mateo Kovačić, Nikola Vlašić, and Andrej Kramarić dropped out of the first 11 compared to Wednesday. 

Lineups

Croatia (4-3-3): Livaković, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Ćaleta-Car, Barišić; Brozović, Brekalo, Modrić, Pašalić, Perišić; Budimir

Cyprus (3-4-3): Demetriou; Kousoulos, Soteriou, Laifis; Psaltris, Artymatas, Cham. Kyriakou, Ionanou; Tzioni, Ilia, Pittas

Recap

Croatia was powerful to start the match, pushing the Cyprus defense in the first 10 minutes. Pašalić just missed a header for the Croatia lead in the 4th minute, and Barišić's left side was active in getting Croatia to attack. Croatia totally dominated a weak Cyprus side who seldom touched the ball. 

Slobodan Kadic

Nearing the 20th minute, Luka Modrić volleyed from 18-meters to hit just over the goal, and Croatia's chances did not stop there. A Perišić lay-off to Brozović saw him miss in what was perhaps Croatia's best chance so far. 

Vrsaljko played a beautiful ball into the box that was a hair too fast for Pašalić's head, and Luka missed again from outside the box. 

But then it happened.

Croatia finally found the back of the net in the 39th minute. Mario Pašalić scored from a header for 1:0!  

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia almost made it 2:0 five minutes later, but the ref called it offside. Croatia ended the first half with 71% of possession.

Croatia started the second half with one change - Dalić subbed off Šime Vrsaljko for Josip Juranović.

Croatia's attacking game did not slow down at the start of the second half.

Perišić and Barišić shot in the 51st minute, while Juranović played a stellar ball to Brozović to shoot a few minutes later. Nothing, however, resulted in a goal. 

Slobodan Kadic

Andrej Kramarić came on for Ante Budimir in the 57th minute. 

Croatia continued to get chances but struggled to find the back of the net. On a good day, it would have been 10:0 for Croatia by now. 

Dalić opted for fresh legs again and brought on Mislav Oršić and Nikola Vlašić for Mario Pašalić and Josip Brekalo in the 66th minute. Ivan Perišić and Mateo Kovačić swapped places 10 minutes later. 

Slobodan Kadic

Cyprus opened up more and was looking forward, especially for that equalizing goal. Croatia's game was becoming sloppy, and it was hard for them to connect passes. They struggled to maintain a smart attacking game. 

Vlašić shot at the Cyprus keeper in the 80th minute. At least he attempted. 

Slobodan Kadic

The ref added four minutes of injury time and the match ended 1:0 for Croatia. 

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia will play Malta on Tuesday in Rijeka at 20:45. 

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

March 28, 2021 – From Croatian destinations drawing more attention to Covid business support plans in April, here are TCN's five highlights of the week, recapping the big events in Croatia from March 22 to 28, 2021.

Looking back on the past week, after a year of downfall, it is clear that Croatia is recovering in a very positive way. The pandemic has put the world on hold for a while; despite the uncertain times, Croatia is moving forward. Businesses around the country will continue to receive government support in the form of financial aid throughout April, there are plans for mass vaccination in Zagreb after Easter, and another boost for Croatian tourism is in the works - and that is just part of it. 

From Monday to Sunday, we list five events featured on the front pages of Croatia's news portals.

PM Andrej Plenkovic Confirms Covid Support for Businesses in April 

Following a recently held cabinet meeting, Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic confirmed that the government will continue to provide support for companies that qualify during April. Additionally, the government will reimburse electricity bills for all citizens affected by the Petrinja earthquake to aid. The HAC toll fee collections along the Zagreb-Sisak motorway will also be reimbursed. 

Andrej Plenković. Photo: Davorin Visnjic/PIXSELL

Mass Zagreb Citizen Vaccination to Commence After Easter 

Despite the recent vaccine delivery dynamics Croatia has been through, Dr. Zvonimir Sostar, the director of Zagreb's Dr. Andrija Stampar Institute, confirmed a large vaccination will be organized in the Capital. The aim is to vaccinate around 6,000 citizens a day, six days a week which approximately equals 36,000 vaccinated people.

 Pixabay

Just over 100,000 people have been vaccinated in Zagreb in two different phases. Due to vaccine shipment delivery issues, Croatia hasn't received the Moderna vaccine for the third week in a row, affecting the plans. But the country is hopeful the situation will improve following the Easter holidays. 

Plaja-Beach Finder: Croatian App to Digitalise All of Country's Beaches 

To help tourists answer the famous "Where is the beach?" question, a Croatian mobile app made by a Split resident will make everyone's life a little bit easier. Research has shown that this is the most common question asked by tourists in all areas of Croatia, from Dubrovnik all the way to Pula. After working in tourism for 15 years, Dejan Gepo saw the need to create an online beach guide to suit everyone's needs and minimize paper waste with useless and outdated maps. 

Pixabay

Each beach has a detailed description written by the Tourist Board, including the location, content on offer, and images. There is a navigation option that enables tourists to find the beach easily, and there is an option where you can virtually view every beach via 360 views. Users can provide comments and rankings for each beach depending on experience, enabling tourists to find their perfect beach match. 

The Plaja-Beach Finder mobile app has been available for download since January the 24th this year and has been downloaded more than a thousand times so far.

EuroNight Train: Slovaks, Austrians Introduce Line to Split, Tickets On Sale 

Despite the continued uncertainty that Coronavirus presents and the reduction of air traffic, Austrians and Slovaks will introduce a brand new night train line in the summer of 2021. The route, starting from Bratislava, passes through Vienna and Graz with the Dalmatian City of Split as the final stop. 

Pixabay, Split

The EuroNight train plans to commence on June 18th, 2021, to run twice a week until the end of the summer season, mid-September 2021. Tickets can already be purchased from Vienna to Split,  29.90 euros for seats and 69.90 for beds.

The night trains allow guests to travel in a more sustainable way and aids in reducing climate change. 

2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Croatia Defeats Cyprus 1:0 in Rijeka 

After losing to Slovenia last week, Croatia came back strong and won against Cyrus as an outstanding highlight of the week. Croatia and Cyrus played last night in Rijeka for the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers Group H.

Croatia's coach, Zlatko Dalić switched up the lineup for the game, going for a 4-3-3 formation. Croatia was powerful from the start of the game with Mario Pašalić scoring from a header for 1:0, in the 39th minute. Luka Modrić also recorded his 135th cap for the national team, making him the most-capped player in Croatia history! 

Photo: Igor Kralj/PIXSELL

The loss to Slovenia complicated their road to the World Cup, as only the group winner qualifies directly for Qatar 2022. Croatia will play Malta on Tuesday in Rijeka at 20:45. 

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

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March 27, 2021 - The American University of Penn State informed the American public about the results of cooperation between scientists from the University of Split and Penn State University, identifying the remains of the servant of the Mother of God Maria Krucifix Kozulić and her sister Teresa, 100 years after their death. 

"Penn State News", the official bulletin of one of the most influential and largest American public universities, included among the significant achievements of scientists of this university in 2020 the successful identification of the servant of the Mother of God Maria Krucifix Kozulić and her sister Teresa, which they achieved in the middle of 2020 with Croatian scientists under the leadership of prof.dr. Dragan Primorac and prof.dr. Mitchell Holland.

Dragan Primorac, postulator of the cause for the beatification of the servant of the Mother of God Marija Krucifix Kozulić, č.M. Dobroslava Mlakić, and Archbishop Ivan Devčić

As part of the beatification process of the Blessed Mother Mary Crucifix Kozulić (1852-1922), founder of the autochthonous Rijeka religious community of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in 2011, the community leaders decided to initiate the exhumation of skeletal remains from the tomb on Kozala in Rijeka. The exhumation of bone remains from the Kozala tomb began on December 20, 2011, when it was determined that 52 people were buried in the grave. Of that number, the remains of 35 people were in wooden coffins, while the remains of other people were mixed in seven bags. With the help of standard methods of forensic anthropology at the Clinical Institute of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Cytology in Rijeka and then at the Clinical Institute of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Cytology in Split, skeletal remains were selected and preparations for molecular analysis (nuclear and mitochondrial analysis) began.

The expert team for identification was attended by professor and D.Sc Dragan Primorac, Ph.D. D.Sc Alan Bosnar, Ph.D. D.Sc Šimun Anđelinović, Ph.D. Anja Petaros, Ph.D. Miran Čoklo, Associate Professor D.Sc Ivana Kružić, Associate Professor D.Sc Željana Bašić, and American colleagues Dr. Charla Marshall, Dr. Kimberly Sturk-Andreaggi, Dr. Erin M. Gorden, Dr. Jennifer Daniels-Higginbotham, Dr. Sidney Gaston Sanchez, and Dr. Timothy P. McMahon.

Servant Mother of God Maria Crucifix Kozulić and her sister Teresa were identified by analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) almost a hundred years after their death, in the middle of last year. As a result of the identification, a scientific paper entitled “A Forensic Genomics Approach for the Identification of Sister Marija Crucifiksa Kozulić” was published in the journal Genes. In Split, the postulator of the cause for the beatification of the Servant of the Mother of God Marija Krucifiksa Kozulić, MS Dobroslava Mlakić, was handed over by Prof. Dragan Ljutić, Ph.D., Rector of the University of Split, and colleagues from the University. After the handover of the body of the Servant of the Mother of God Marija Krucifix Kozulić and her sister Teresa, the Eucharistic celebration in Split was led by Monsignor Marin Barišić, Ph.D., Archbishop and Metropolitan of Split and Makarska.

Prof.dr. Dragan Primorac and Prof.dr. Mitchell Holland at Penn State University

On September 26, 2020, in the convent of the Society of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the earthly remains of the servant of the Mother of God Marija Krucifiksa Kozulić are buried, for whom the process of the proclamation as Blessed and Holy is currently underway.

The University of Split and Penn State University have been cooperating for many years, which was started by Dragan Primorac and Mitchell Holland, who have been cooperating in the field of identifying victims using DNA technology since 1993. Penn State University is one of the largest public universities in the United States with an annual budget of about $7 billion, and nearly 100,000 students study at the University.

To read more news from Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 27 March 2021 - The head of the task force dealing with the aftermath of last year's earthquake, Tomo Medved, in Glina, on Saturday formally handed over 39 housing and several service containers to Mayor Stjepan Kostanjević for use by residents left homeless after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Croatia on 29 December.  

The 15th housing container settlement was set up in Sisak-Moslavina County after the earthquake, and it cost  HRK 3.7 million.

Medved expressed hope that living in these containers would be much better than in makeshift accommodation. He announced an even larger settlement in Sisak and four smaller ones, two in Mošćenica and two in Sisak. The construction of a prefab housing estate in Majur is nearing completion. 

In the reconstruction process, Medved announced that repair works on houses with damaged chimneys would intensify as of early May. He said that 25,000 houses in the county had suffered minor damage, such as damage to chimneys and gable walls.

Medved said that it was important that people had safe accommodation and support in food, electricity, and other essential services while waiting for their homes to be repaired, which he said would take time.

Thirty-one families, or 72 people, will be living in the housing container settlement in Glina, and the first two families have moved in today, Mayor Kostanjević said. He added that 55 residents of Glina were staying in Topusko, and some would return to Glina to live in the containers.

To read more news from Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 27, 2021 - After the one-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, and because of which the 2020 edition couldn’t be held, the Zadar Outdoor Festival marks its return to the joy of adventure and sports fans.

As Croatia’s National Tourist Board announces, this year’s festival has been confirmed for its Spring and Autumn editions, encouraging locals and foreigners to visit the region by developing a special form of tourism and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Zadar, thus making a major step towards the development of sustainable tourism.

The beautiful landscape of Zadar County is characterized by exceptional geographical diversity, which makes the county an ideal place for various outdoor sports activities. As part of the Zadar Outdoor Festival, for the fourth time, the sea, land, and beauties of this region will be transformed into natural sports arenas for competitors from all over the world, who will test their sports capabilities and have great fun.

Zadar Outdoor Festival will be held in two parts, as their Spring and Autumn editions, in May and September 2021, respectively. The spring edition of the Festival will be held from May 8th to 9th on the green island of Ugljan in a safe environment and in compliance with all recommended measures. A kayak and SUP competition is planned along the phenomenal route around the islet of Galevac in front of Preko. For those who prefer the mainland, carefully prepared trails have been included as well as great climbing routes. In addition to exciting races, Zadar Outdoor Festival also offers a very interesting educational program, which includes various workshops led by experts in sports, recreation, and adventurous lifestyle.

The autumn edition of the festival will be held in September 2021 and it will include the Ravni Kotari Trail and the swimming marathon. You don't have to play sports professionally to participate in competitions. Each of the Festival’s activities is directed towards a wide audience.

The Festival offers accommodation packages as a special offer for the participants and their families, with prices starting at 225 kuna. Participants will have the opportunity to spend their time and rest in the beautiful Vile Dalmacija or in the newly opened Camp Resort Ugljan. For more information about the accommodation offers, you can contact them by phone at +385 (0)23 286 108 or through an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
It is possible to become a volunteer for the Zadar Outdoor Festival and in order to do so, be sure to write an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you’re interested.

To find more about the Zadar Outdoor Festival dates, accommodation, how to get to, and other FAQs, be sure to check their official website. 

For more information about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 27 March 2021- A memorial tour of Zagreb sites associated with the Nazi-allied Ustasha regime that ruled Croatia during the Second World War was organized on Saturday ahead of the 80th anniversary of the start of the war in the country.

The topic of anti-fascist resistance is not represented enough in school, even though topics relating to the Ustashas and Partisans are frequent in political and social life, said Tena Banjeglav, one of the authors of the guide "Zagreb in War, Resistance, Artistic Creation and Memory" who took part in the tour.

Students know little about what was going on in Zagreb during Ustasha rule and never heard of most of the 50 locations in the city associated with the Ustasha regime. This guide should help them learn more about the sites such as the present-day Student Centre and the secondary school in Križanićeva Street, Banjeglav told the press.

The Student Centre was a transit campsite where about 2,500 Jews and many Serbs and communists were held before being transported onto the camps at Koprivnica, Gospić, Jadovno, Pag island Jasenovac.

Because of the restrictions in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic, only 25 people took part in the tour - teachers, students, diplomats, and university professors. MP Vili Matula joined them.

The head of the Documenta NGO, Vesna Teršelič, said she was pleased that they were joined by the Austrian ambassador and officials of the US Embassy, which helped prepare the guide and the Australian Embassy.

She announced that the next memorial walks would be held on 10 April, the day on which the Ustasha-ruled Independent State of Croatia (NDH) was proclaimed in 1941, and on 8 May, the day of the liberation of Zagreb in 1945. She invited members of the public to sign up for the tour.

Teršelič said that the guide would be formally launched online on 6 April at 11 am when the Second World War began.

To read more news from Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.