March the 1st, 2021 - Croatia has finally loosened up some of its anti-epidemic measures today, allowing for the opening of restaurant and cafe terraces and the serving of drinks and food outdoors, much to the delight of those missing Croatia's famed coffee culture. Sibenik cafes are taking things a step further.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Drazen Orescanin, the executive director of the Voice of Entrepreneurs (Glas Poduzetnika) Association, said in conversation with Dnevnik N1 on Sunday that Croatian cafe owners simply want to be permitted to work and do not want to be a burden to society in any shape or form. He also announced today's ''action'' by Sibenik cafes and their owners.
As previously stated, the previous anti-epidemic measures which banned the work of catering and hospitality facilities are being relaxed in Croatia today. From today, it is possible for Croatian cafes and restaurants to have their staff serve guests outdoors on open terraces in compliance with the measures. Those measures include proper distancing between people and between individual tables.
The new working hours for Croatian cafes and restaurants are from from 06:00 to 22:00, work can only be performed outdoors on open areas (without the need for Plexiglas and glass), it is necessary to provide a distance of 1.5 metres between each chair and at least 3 metres between each table. The maximum number of people on the terrace at any one time should be displayed at the entrance, and the mandatory placement of disinfectants for customers are some of the conditions.
Drazen Orescanin pointed out that some caterers are "on the verge of crying" due to their dire financial situation caused by the pandemic and the measures which banned gatherings in an attempt to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Although the National Civil Protection Directorate recently changed their minds on the playing of music, which was initially not allowed, Orescanin said that they'd previously had the idea to play the press conferences of the Directorate on repeat if they didn't reverse the ban on music.
He also announced today's ''action'' from Sibenik cafes: ''On the occasion of the opening up of the terraces, people will be able to drink free coffee outside on the terraces from 12:00 to 13:00. I believe that cafe owners in other cities will also join in with this.''
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