For the latest March 21 update click here.
March 19, 2020 - There are 110 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Croatia and 29 new cases as of yesterday morning. One patient has died. Five patients have recovered. There are currently 104 active cases in Croatia.
Measures for Entry into the Republic of Croatia: UPDATED March 19, 2020
As of midnight, crossing the border of the Republic of Croatia is temporarily restricted. Croatian citizens and residents will be allowed to return to Croatia, which means that they may go to the country where they work and reside and must follow the instructions and measures of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) upon their return.
These measures went into effect at 00:01 on March 19, 2020 and are valid for 30 days.
Return to countries of origin will be granted to nationals of the EU Member States (Member States of the Schengen Area and Schengen countries and their families), and third-country nationals who are long-term residents under EU directives, national law or are holding national long-stay visas. Until the end of 2020, UK citizens will be treated the same way as EU citizens.
The instructions and measures of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) are compulsory for these returnees.
EXCEPTIONS to this Decision are:
- Health professionals, health researchers and associate professionals in the care of the elderly and persons requiring urgent medical treatment
- Cross-border workers
- Freight carriers and other transport personnel to the extent necessary
- Diplomats, police officers in the performance of their duties, civil protection services and teams, personnel of international organizations and international military personnel in the performance of their functions
- Passengers in transit
The above exceptions are subject to the instructions and measures adopted by the Croatian Institute of Public Health. See those here.
Minister Davor Bozinovic said at a press conference today that a meeting of police administrations of Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro will be held to determine the routes along which trucks may move.
As of today, it is mandatory to strictly adhere to anti-epidemic measures and strict social distance measures. A strict measure of social distance requires avoiding close personal contact at a distance of at least:
- Two (2) meters indoors
- One (1) meter outdoors
The anti-epidemic measures required according this decision include: a ban on holding all public events, the gathering of more than 5 people in one place and the suspension of all retail and trade activities EXCEPT:
- Food and hygiene items
- Markets and fish markets
- Specialized stores selling and dispensing (pharmacies)
- Specialized stores selling and dispensing veterinary medicinal products
- Agricultural pharmacies
- Gas stations
- Kiosks
- Bakeries
- Chemical laundry (dry cleaners)
- Specialized stores selling orthopaedic products and other aids
- Specialized baby equipment stores
- Specialized animal feed stores
- Dispensing of building materials on the basis of retail orders
- Logistic and distribution centers for food, beverages and hygiene products
- Wholesale drugstores
Suspension of the Following Activities and Services:
- Work of all cultural activities (museums, theaters, cinemas, libraries, reading rooms) and the suspension of exhibitions, shows and fairs
- Operation of catering establishments of all categories, with the exception of food preparation and delivery services, accommodation services and work of public and student kitchens
- Operation of service activities in which close contact with customers (eg hairdressers, beauticians, barbers, pedicures, massage parlors, saunas, swimming pools)
- All sports competitions and organized trainings and shutdowns of gyms, sports centers, fitness and recreation centers
- Holding children's and other workshops and organized dance schools
- Work of driving schools and foreign language schools
- Religious gatherings
110 Coronavirus Cases in Croatia
As of March 19, 2020; 110 coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been reported in Croatia: 49 in Zagreb, 13 in Rijeka, 16 in Pula, 7 in Osijek, 6 in Varaždin, 3 in Sisak, 4 in Krapina-Zagorje (County), 4 in Karlovac, 2 in Split, 2 in Šibenik, 2 in Zadar, 1 in Dubrovnik, and 1 in Slavonski Brod (map to be updated).
More than 9,991 people are dead from the virus, which originated in Wuhan City, China; and over 242,017 cases have been confirmed globally. There are 161,089 cases outside of mainland China and 41,035 in Italy.
UPDATED: March 19, 2020 22:00 CET (Central European Time)
National Civil Protection Headquarters Evening Press Conference: 16:00 CET
"Today is the 24th day after the first patient. In those 24 days we have 105 positive patients. In the same period in Italy, the number of patients from days 1 to 24 was 27,747," Croatian Health Minister Vili Beros said.
National Civil Protection Headquarters Morning Press Conference: 9:00 CET
- 1264 test samples completed in Croatia.
- There are currently 12,519 people in self-isolation in Croatia and 769 contacts who are under close supervision. There are 79 people quarantined and 18 of those are truck drivers, according to Alemka Markotic, Head of the Dr. Fran Mihaljevic Clinic for Infectious Diseases.
- Most have mild symptoms, two have moderate symptoms, Markotic added.
- Istrian deceased patient had coronavirus: cause of death still unknown.
Line for pharmacy in Zagreb | Index
Croatia and Regional Daily Updates
(Updates provided by Index)
20:39 - In coordination with the Institute of Public Health of the County of Istria, and following the measures and instructions of the Civil Protection Headquarters, workers of the municipal utility Pula Herculane will disinfect public areas by special chemical agents from Thursday evening, the City of Pula informed the public.
According to the plan, public areas will be chemically disinfected from the city center to the periphery, and the City of Pula is urging citizens to avoid being outdoors in the areas covered by the measure.
"Cleansing removes impurities by physical or physico-chemical means, and in addition to visible contamination, cleansing also removes a significant portion of microorganisms and creates conditions for effective disinfection. Disinfection is a process that destroys microorganisms to a level that is not harmful to health," The city of Pula also added that 80% of harmful substances and pathogenic microorganisms are removed by quality surface cleaning."
20:25 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic addressed the public with a special response to the coronavirus crisis at 20:00 CET this evening.
He said this was the biggest crisis since the Homeland War, and that the days, weeks and months ahead would be difficult and that we need to prepare.
"We are managing the crisis, it is not not managing us. But we need everyone's participation. The coronavirus will have significant consequences on our economy. The economic situation is better than a few years ago, we are more prepared for shocks. But extraordinary measures are needed, which is why the government has enacted them. We will pay a net minimum wage for each worker. We go out to companies to meet payroll delays."
Don't shake hands, listen to the doctors, added Plenkovic. It calls on all citizens in self-isolation to adhere strictly to the rules.
19:39 - A fourth patient from Karlovac hospital isolation, who has been confirmed with the coronavirus, is a Karlovac doctor who has had no contact with patients for the last two weeks, the Civil Protection County Headquarters announced.
He is a hospital doctor who has not worked for the past two weeks because he was on vacation, Hospitals spokeswoman Ivana Rumenovic Novinic told Hina.
"Immediately after learning that another person from Karlovac had been confirmed with the coronavirus, the prescribed anti-epidemic measures were started to prevent the further spread of the disease. The processes of establishing their contacts are underway and all contacts will receive self-isolation measures," Rumenovic said. Novinić.
In addition to the hospital doctor, there are three other patients - a married couple from Karlovac and a man from Ogulin, all of whom are stable.
19:19 - Another five cases of infection have been reported in Istria, all linked to a couple who were at a funeral.
John Kernjus, son of the late Istrian Anton Kernjus, told Index that his mother and brother were positive for the coronavirus.
18:35 - Index learned today that as many as 23 Klaiceva employees traveled outside Croatia for two weeks, and we learned from one doctor that he had been skiing in Austria when a KBC Rebro doctor was infected. However, he was not in self-isolation, he was working, without a mask.
18:30 - Today a telephone session was held at which the Decision on Appropriation of the Budgetary Stock of the State Budget of Croatia for 2020 was approved for the purchase of protective masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
17:45 - The MUP issued a warning for coronavirus email fraud. They explained that they were phishing campaigns trying to exploit the coronavirus pandemic by sending e-mails to convince users to run a malicious code on their computer.
16:43 - There will be 270 beds in front of KB Dubrava in tents being assembled today.
16:41 - In Zagorje, five people were infected, the headquarters provided an update on the situation there.
16:30 - "Today is the 24th day after we reported the first patient. In those 24 days we have 105 positive patients. In the same period in Italy, the increase in the number of patients from days 1 to 24 was 27,747," Beros pointed out at the afternoon press conference.
16:15 - The Dean of the School of Medicine defends infected doctors, saying that they followed instructions.
15:40 - Important announcement regarding the Health Center of the County of Primorje-Gorski kotar.
"Regarding efforts for prevention of the spread of COVID-19, from Saturday March 21, 2020, the Health Center of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County is moving the locations of the following dispensaries:
The pediatric emergency office and the blood sampling room for children are being relocated to the new location at 7 Cambierieva Street (former pediatric ophthalmology area). The new location is only 50 meters from the current location, and the work schedule remains unchanged: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:00 to 20:00. The office numbers are 051 641-045 and 051 336-046.
The dental office on duty is also moving from its current location (Cambierieva 7) to Studentska 1 in Rijeka and will also work according to current working hours: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:00 to 20:00. The office number is 051 494 896.
The Family Medicine Duty Office remains in the existing premises (Cambierieva 7) and operates according to the current schedule: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8:00to 20:00. The office number is 051 335 588.
Also, in view of the new situation, all psychiatrists and psychologists at the PGZ Health Center in their regular working hours are available to provide telephone psychological assistance to all citizens of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Psychiatrists and psychologists' contacts and more information on news regarding precautions and treatment instructions can be found on the website of the PGZ Health Center."
14:30 - A Bjelovar ambulance team is in isolation after intervening Thursday with a child whose parents are in isolation, but did not say when they called an ambulance, and the county appealed for responsible behavior and adherence to coronavirus prevention guidelines.
14:10 - Former President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is in self-isolation, Dnevnik Nova TV reports. According to sources, former President of the Republic Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic will be in self-isolation for two weeks.
14:09 - Concerning the current epidemiological situation caused by the coronavirus, experts of the Mental Health and Addiction Prevention Service of the Public Health Institute Andrija Štampar opened eight hotlines for psychological assistance to persons in self-isolation or quarantine.
Interviews with professionals are possible daily from 8:00 to 20:00 on the following telephone numbers:
01 2991 356
01 4696 276
01 4696 107
01 4696 297
01 6468 334
01 6468 335
01 6468 337
01 6468 338
The telephone numbers are intended for all persons who feel the need for psychological assistance regarding the coronavirus crisis. Expert advice on how to deal with this situation and how to reduce anxiety will be provided daily by psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists of the Public Health Institute “Dr. Andrija Štampar ".
Recommendations for People in Isolation:
- Stay connected and maintain your social networks, you can stay connected via email, social media, video conferencing and telephone. Try to keep as much of your personal daily routine as possible including regular exercise, cleaning, daily chores, singing, reading ...
- Do activities you enjoy and help you relax. Exercise regularly, maintain a regular sleep routine, and eat healthy foods.
- Follow up-to-date information and practical guidance at specific times during the day, once or twice, by official institutions, avoid listening to or monitoring rumors which have a negative impact on mood.
13:59 - Banks Explain: Here's what you need to know about postponing loan repayments.
- In order to preserve the financial stability and liquidity of economic factors in the Republic of Croatia, credit institutions shall adopt in their internal acts a decision not to take enforcement measures (foreclosure, activation of collateral) to collect debt from their debtors (natural and legal persons) for three consecutive months starting in April 2020, it will not settle its three installments/annuities on its credit obligations, provided that they are not put at a disadvantage as creditors in relation to other creditors.
- Credit institutions shall conscientiously and promptly consider and approve requests by clients (citizens and entrepreneurs) for a deferral of payment for at least three months, whose creditworthiness is severely impaired in the current circumstances by the loss or reduction of fixed sources of income, and for the benefit of undertakings whose the revenue was substantially reduced compared to the total income in the previous period.
- Credit institutions shall, at the time of the deferral of payment, only charge regularly agreed interest at no additional charge.
- For the success of the measures expected of credit institutions, it will be important to ensure the solidarity of other groups of creditors, in order to provide assistance to citizens and entrepreneurs who are truly economically affected in the current circumstances.
13:49 - As many as 23 employees, including 9 doctors from the Clinic for Pediatric Diseases in Klaićeva, who had been outside Croatia for the past 14 days, are going into self-isolation today.
13:48 - Croatia Airlines has sent an important message to its passengers.
13:46 - Headquarters Warning: "At least twice a day, clean all touch surfaces, smartphones and other phones, POS editing, keyboards, consoles, computers, and other touch surfaces used by several people."
13:35 - In front of KB Dubrava, the army erects tents for future coronavirus patients.
13:27 - All schools, kindergartens and colleges in Croatia will be closed until at least April 19 (one month).
13:27 - A second case of coronavirus infection was confirmed in Zadar County today, a young man who arrived in Austria two days ago by car to work in a hotel complex, which has since been closed down due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The County Civil Protection Headquarters announced this at a news conference, stating that the young man was suspected of having a coronavirus because of his weakness, and reported to a competent epidemiologist upon his arrival in Zadar. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Croatia now stands at 103.
13:16 - After the sixth coronavirus infection was confirmed on Wednesday, there are no new infections in Varazdin County on Thursday, and more than 500 people are under medical supervision.
13:00 - From Jadrolinija, passengers on ships are asked to stay in their vehicles during the voyage, if less than 60 minutes. In the event that they must get out of their vehicle, the Croatia-based ferry service recommends that passengers use protective masks.
12:40 - "Dubrovnik Airport Ltd. is closed for civil air traffic as of 12:00 today. We will provide you with all further information in a timely manner," read a statement from the Dubrovnik Airport. The airport will be open only for emergencies - medical, military and police flights.
12:01 - Loan repayments delayed for three months due to coronavirus.
The Ministry of Finance is agreeing with the banks a moratorium on repayment of loans to citizens who cannot repay them due to reduced revenues or job losses caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Unofficially, this has been confirmed to Index by the Ministry of Finance. Minister Zdravko Maric has been trying to make it easier for citizens to repay their loans since the start of the pandemic.
11:56 - Zagreb Holding has invited users of the Central Branch Office for Customer Relations and Subsidiaries to continue exclusively using their electronic services, which can be accessed through their website and on the e-gradani system.
11:45 - Miroslav Skoro is seeking a minimum wage for everyone.
11:34 - Update from Slavonia. No new cases. A total of 7 confirmed cases. Osijek Headquarters is demanding limits on purchases.
11:04 - A total of 12 people confirmed with the coronavirus in Istria, one of whom has died and 11 are currently in the hospital. Among the 5 newly ill are 2 people from Umag and one each from Rovinj, Pula and Vodnjan. According to Glas Istre, the famous winemaker Moreno Coronica and his wife were infected in Umag. However, the winemaker’s father died recently and was buried on March 7. There were a lot of people at the funeral, and everyone in attendance should report to 099-8105-672.
10:38 - Press conference from Split. Two elderly, an elderly married couple, have been confirmed to be coronavirus positive. The Hospital for Infectology confirms that 4 people have been hospitalized. Two cases have been confirmed, and they are waiting for the test results for two potential cases.
10:27 - The first case of coronavirus disease was recorded in Dubrovnik today. According to Dubrovacki dnevnik, this is a janitor who works at the airport.
10:18 - Prime Minister Plenkovic said at the beginning of the cabinet session that 102 people had been confirmed infected. Beros confirmed that the figure is now higher than it was at the 9:00 CET press conference.
9:55 - This afternoon it will be announced where the last 10 confirmed cases were infected. So far, one person is known to be from Dubrovnik.
9:30 - "The Civil Protection Headquarters of the National Defense Agency informs the public that one of the samples sent from Dubrovnik General Hospital for analysis to Zagreb is coronavirus positive. This is the first positive finding after 15 samples were sent. This is a middle-aged person who is hospitalized, and the medical condition of the patient is good. This knowledge only confirms the necessity of adhering to the measures prescribed by the National Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia " – a representative from Dubrovacko-neretvanske county reported.
9:20 - The Croatian Bishops' Conference adopted measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus which go into effect on Friday March 20.
8:24 - Employees of Vetropack Straze received a mail stating that one of their employees was infected with the coronavirus, was in the hospital and is in good general condition. Those who had close contact with him (less than 2 meters for more than 15 minutes) have to self-isolate beginning tomorrow according to Zagorje.com.
8:10 - In Split-dalmatinsko County, two people have tested positive for COVID-19. This is an older couple from Split (born 1934 and 1935). They were infected by the daughter of a Zagreb doctor who visited them over the weekend. She learned on Monday that she was infected, and her parents were not feeling well yesterday and were taken to hospital. During the evening, they were confirmed to be coronavirus positive.
8:00 - In Croatia, 99 people are infected with a coronavirus, said Krunoslav Capak, Director of the Croatian Health Insurance Institute, on the Croatian radio program "U mrezi Prvog.”
7:38 - HRT (Croatia Radio Television) has learned that the man who died in Istria was infected with the coronavirus. A formal confirmation is awaiting. However, HRT noted that experts believe that this is not the reason for his death.
7:19 - Croatia has temporarily banned or restricted the crossing of all border crossings. Croatian citizens will be allowed to return to Croatia, which means that they can go to the country where they work and reside. They must follow the instructions and measures of the Croatian Institute of Public Health.
7:13 - You can read more about the measures here.
7:00 - Four doctors from KBC Zagreb, who were skiing in Austria at the time of the coronavirus crisis, made a statement to the Ministry of Health, the Civil Protection Headquarters and the KBC director, saying that they had not violated the recommendations of authorities.
Doctors deny accusations of failing to report their trip and point out that of the two positive doctors at the Clinic for Cardiovascular Diseases, one was not even on that trip, while the other doctor did not come to the hospital after the trip because she was on vacation.
The other two who were traveling in Austria were negative, so they did not pose a threat to KBC patients and staff. They also point out that in the meantime, all tested staff and patients of the Cardiovascular Disease Clinic were negative for COVID-19.
(Updates provided by Index)
Total Croatia News Coronavirus Coverage
- Robert Zuber, Rab Film Festival Launch R+, New Online Platform with Your Stories - here.
- Coronavirus in Dubrovnik: First Case Recorded, Symptoms Mild - here.
- First Coronavirus Death in Croatia, Restaurant Owner in Brtonigla, Istria - here.
- Lockdown in Croatia: Which Types of Store Will Remain Open? - here.
- Croatian Interior Minister Announces Limitation of Movement for Older Persons - here.
- Without Tourists, What Use is Croatian Sojourn Tax Payment Delay? - here.
- Free Croatian Crisis Communication Guide Available from Skolska Knjiga - here.
- Croatian Scientist Igor Rudan Talks Chinese Anti-Coronavirus Measures - here.
- COVID-19: City of Split Announces Measures to Mitigate Negative Effect on Economy - here.
- Minister Darko Horvat Presents First 10 Measures to Help Croatian Economy - here.
- Split Fish Market Continues to Operate Under Slightly Different Rules - here.
- HNS Confirms: Croatian Football League Must be Completed by June 28 - here.
Total Slovenia News & Total Montenegro News Updates
- Coronavirus & Slovenia, Mid-Day 19 March, Shops, Italy, Army - here.
- Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 19 March 2020 - here.
- Coronavirus in Montenegro: 6 More COVID-19 Infections - here.
Live World Coronavirus Updates
- Live world updates from CNN here.
- Live world updates from The Guardian here.
- Live world updates from Al Jazeera here.
Live World Health Organization Coronavirus Updates
- Live updated international map tracking spread of coronavirus from Johns Hopkins CSSE here.
- Live updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) here.
Live Croatian Health Organization Coronavirus Updates
- Live updates from the Croatian Institute of Public Health (daily updates at 15:00 CET in Croatian) here.
- Live updates from Croatian Government at their dedicated website koronavirus.hr here.
UPDATED: March 19, 2020 22:00 CET (Central European Time)
For the latest March 21 update click here.
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