August the 25th, 2022 - Could Croatia reintroduce measures against the spread of coronavirus? Croatian Public Health Institute director Krunoslav Capak believes so, although with the much more extensive understanding of the virus we now have, those measures would be very mild.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Krunoslav Capak has stated that given the fact that we're now far better acquainted with the novel coronavirus, we know a little more about it and how it functions, although it always surprises us in some way, we can say that strict epidemiological measures such as lockdowns, closures, bans on gatherings etc, will probably no longer exist.''

He added that classic epidemiological measures are still being recommended, such as keeping a certain level of physical distance from others, wearing masks in places where there are more people, for example, when using public transport or going to concerts.

"The possibility of some measures coming back, however mild, exists", Capak said, before adding that is is what we have at our disposal - that is, social distancing and wearing a mask. If necessary, if the Croatian epidemiological situation worsens and if this measure proves to be effective, the Civil Protection Directorate will certainly resort to such a measure.

Capak also said that "we do now have quite a large number of patients" - for the last week, the average has been 790 per day among those who are confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 following a PCR test, and there are still about the same number of those who are positive for the virus on rapid antigen tests which can be done at home.

"Given that this is a mild variant of the disease, Omicron, and now we also have Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, which is an even milder but more contagious variant, we probably also have a lot of asymptomatic cases that we don't even know about,'' said Capak for HRT.

"If we judge ourselves by these PCR-positives, that is, those we report as sick, then we can say that this number is no longer growing, but stagnating, varying a little from day to day, but stagnating so that we think that we're only now at the peak of that BA.4-BA.5 wave," he said.

Low vaccination rate

Capak added that we are threatened with a new wave if a new mutation does develop.

Referring to the comment about the large number of deaths from or with the coronavirus even during this time in which a far milder variant is dominant, Capak said that with Omicron, we have about 700 PCR-positive and an average of 12 deaths per day, while at the peak of the Delta variant back in November of last year we had five to six thousand PCR-positive and an average of 52 deaths per day.

"This is a somewhat milder form of the disease," he said.

He pointed out that the Croatian population older than 60 years is much less vaccinated than in many other European countries, where the rate stands at more than 90 percent for people over 60 and 80 years old, while in this country it is between 70 and 80 percent for the same population.

The lack of reliability of tests performed at home

Answering a question about the reliability of antigen tests which can be performed at home, Krunoslav Capak said that the technique of taking the swab is very important, such as whether the swab is pushed deep enough into the nose to wipe the mucous membrane on which the virus is located.

“The home tests and the rapid antigen tests that we have now are also used in laboratories, so they are quite reliable, but they can't match PCR testing, which is 99 percent sensitive and reliable. So, PCR testing is still the golden rule and the gold standard in coronavirus diagnostics," said Capak.

Capak also said that at the moment, very few people in this country have been vaccinated with a fourth dose, while we have almost a million people who have been vaccinated with three doses, expressing the hope that they will also be vaccinated with the fourth.

For more on coronavirus in Croatia, make sure to check out our dedicated section.

August the 25th, 2022 - The Croatian property price increase has been enormous, and so far, this summer tourist season has well and truly outdone that of last year and of couse of 2020.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, when speaking solely in terms of income earned, the current tourist season could reach the record year of 2019 at the end of August, Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac confirmed in a recent interview for N1.

That's why experts expect that this year's tourism revenue will be 30 percent higher than that often referenced, record-breaking pre-pandemic year. Those who earn their cash from tourism now have "sweeter" troubles to ponder over, such as what to invest their earnings in under the circumstances of high inflation that is rapidly eating away at the value of money itself. The result: the expected new Croatian property price increase.

According to the indicators so far, the season is going more than excellently. We aren't nearing the end of 2022 yet, but Nikolina Brnjac is already extremely satisfied with the income earned this summer from tourism.

"According to some calculations, if this continues, we calculate that at the end of August and the beginning of September, we'll manage to surpass 2019 in that segment," said Minister Nikolina Brnjac.

While that's all well and good, just how much does that satisfaction amount to in the currency of the Croatian future - euros?

"Well, back in 2019, there was some 10.5 billion euros in income earned from foreign tourists, and now the CNB's projects are 11.3 billion," said Brnjac.

"If we're talking about Split, we're talking about Croatian buyers of property, apartment buyers, and if we're talking about destinations like Primosten or Rogoznica, in addition to locals, foreigners also buy property there, and they do so in significant numbers," said Marin Biliskov, director of the Biliskov real estate agency, writes N1.

"If we look at tradition, a good season down on the coast always meant a good property selling season in Zagreb," said Boro Vujovic, the director of the Opereta real estate agency.

A good season means higher demand and higher prices, and when it comes to Croatian property, we're already seeing record growth by as much as 20 percent compared to last year. The average square footage of a new building in Croatia stands at 2140 euros.

Is there room for additional Croatian property price increases?

"Given the average income and standard in Croatia, regardless of a good summer tourist season, I think prices have reached a point that shouldn't be exceeded now. But as long as the demand is greater than the supply, it's an economic law that the price goes up," said Biliskov.

As Vujovic says, if the prices of energy and everything else rise, then real estate prices will rise as well.

"I think it will slow down because interest rates will rise, some people just won't be creditworthy, so that will reduce demand," Vujovic said.

The demand of foreigners for property in Croatia is also constantly growing. Croatia's entry into the Eurozone and Schengen could stimulate both domestic and foreign demand.

"What we mustn't ignore is the significant activity of foreign buyers who, with Croatian entry into the Eurozone and Schengen, will raise awareness of Croatia as an interesting investment destination precisely through transactions in euros. Although transactions were tied to the euro but realised in kuna, they'll now be able to realise everything in euros, which will further stimulate the interest of foreign buyers," said Vedrana Likan, director and partner of the Colliers company.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

August the 25th, 2022 - Croatia's Djuro Djakovic company has contracted a significant 190 million kuna job for a well known company - GATX Rail Europe, despite undergoing a transformation of sorts of its own.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, while waiting for the ownership transformation to be completed, Croatia's Djuro Djakovic still successfully manages to contract new jobs. The company has just contracted the construction of new Shimmns freight cars for GATX Rail Europe, the value of which stands at almost 190 million in total.

The production and delivery of wagons is planned for the first half of next year, and the Slavonski Brod-based group has pointed out that with this project, Djuro Djakovic group has confirmed its strategic orientation towards the development and production of wagons for special purpose and performance, with the use of new generation production equipment with which the company is rounding off its development and production processes in the meantime.

According to the Djuro Djakovic group's latest financial report for the first half of this year, the value of the previously contracted production of Shimmns freight wagons amounted to almost 150 million kuna, and the value of the Uacns wagons contracted with a Swiss client stood at approximately 94 million kuna. Their capacities have been filled for this year and the company is already preparing itself for new construction contracted for next year.

In addition to the transport segment, the Djuro Djakovic group has contracted jobs in the defense, energy and industry segments, and the total value of all jobs, before the latest contract, was a very impressive 310 million kuna in total.

From the communication heard from the company undergoing a transformation so far, the production of wagons will be a priority in the further development of this well known industrialist from Slavonski Brod with the new majority owner, the company DD Acquisition, owned by Czech investors Rene Matera and Jaroslav Strnad, who will soon recapitalise the company.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated business section.

August the 25th, 2022 - Foreign police officers often appear in Croatia as part of a wider project of which the Republic of Croatia is a part. Brac island has recently been richer for several foreign officers who made themselves available to visitors.

As Morski writes, foreign police officers from Poland, Slovakia, France, Germany and Italy have been on Brac island in Central Dalmatia as part of the "Safe Tourist Destination" project recently.

As part of the "Safe Tourist Destination" project, the group of foreign police from the aforementioned group of countries accompanied by a police officer from the Chief's Office and police officers from the Brac Police Station visited Brac island yesterday. Their host was the head of the Brac Police Station, Zarko Smajic, who was their guide.

The group of foreign police officers toured the town of Supetar, where they also met with the mayor of the town of Supetar, Ivana Markovic, who welcomed them warmly to this very popular island. In the municipality of Postira, they met with the mayor, Sinisa Marovic. Leaders of local communities have long since supported this unique project of the Ministry of the Interior (MUP), which enables foreign police officers to stay and work in the Republic of Croatia during the main summer tourist season.

During their stay on Brac island, the foreign police officers talked with foreign tourists about various different topics.

During their engagements with others in public places, the police made themselves readily available to foreign tourists, all with the aim of providing information and advice to make their stay in Croatia even more pleasant.

The Republic of Croatia is a safe tourist destination and is recognised as such all over the world, and this was once again emphasised by foreign tourists in their conversation with foreign police officers on Brac island.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

August 24, 2022 - The influencer who was photographed topless in the residence of the Finnish Prime Minister, Sabina Särkkä, also partied on the Croatian coast. This time, a lucky Jadrolinija ferry was greeted with a peek of her breasts.

As Index writes, on her TikTok profile, there is a video published in May this year, in which the pretty model, together with her friends, shows her breasts to the Jadrolinija ferry that passes by the ship they were on.

@sabinasarkka Tässä on ollut vähä kaikennäköistä @Julia Toivola #foryoupage @Lotta Soini @Dr. Rannisto ♬ alkuperäinen ääni - Sabina Särkkä

It seems that the girls had a good time on the Croatian coast, and for their gesture, the captain “rewarded” them with a honk of the ship's siren. Some users asked in the comments whether Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin had fun with them, but they did not get an answer.

The Finnish prime minister also apologised for the photo

As a reminder, a photo circulating on social media shows two influencers kissing, covering their bare breasts with the words “Finland” from the Prime Minister's official residence in Helsinki. The Finnish prime minister also apologised for that photo.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Sabina Särkkä (@sabinasarkka)

“I don't think the picture is appropriate. I apologise for that. There should not have been such a photo, but otherwise, nothing extraordinary happened at the party”, Marin told reporters, confirming that the sign was from her residence.

Marin (36) said that the photo was taken at a private party with her friends after a music festival in July. “We were in the sauna, bathing and spending time together”, Marin said about the party.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.

August 24, 2022 - With two quick goals in the final minutes of extra time, Dinamo has secured a spot in the Champions League group stage! 

Dinamo and Bodo/Glimt met in the return match of the Champions League play-off at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on Wednesday. 

In the first match, Bodo/Glimt won at home with a minimum of 1:0.

In their quest for the Champions League group stage, Dinamo and Bodo met at a sold-out Maksimir Stadium. Coach Ante Čačić could not on Josip Mišić due to cards.

Lineups

Dinamo (4-2-3-1): Livaković - Ristovski, B. Šutalo, Perić, Ljubičić - Ademi, Ivanušec - Špikić, Baturina, Oršić - Petković

Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3): Haikin - Sampsted, Amundsen, Hoibraten, Wembagomo - Vetlesen, Hagen, Sltnes - Mugisha, Salvesen, Pellegrino 

Match report

Dinamo's first chance came in the 2nd minute when Baturina shot over the post from the penalty area. 

But Dinamo's quick counter two minutes later caught Bodo's defense off guard - Baturina found Orsic on the left who scored for 1:0 in the 4th minute! 

Dinamo was off to a great start and had complete control of the match, making it tough for Bodo to get out of their half.

Dinamo's first corner came in the 13th minute, which was cleared by the Bodo defense. 

Bodo had their most dangerous chance in the 15th minute when Mvuka just missed near post. Bodo was fortunately called offside. 

A tough call in the Bodo penalty area came in the 27th minute. The defender played with his hand, but after a VAR check, the ref said to play on. 

Ademi hit the crossbar in the 31st minute and Dinamo continued to relentlessly attack Bodo's half. 

But it didn't take long for Dinamo to get their second goal. A brilliant scissor kick by Petkovic from inside the box made it 2:0 for Dinamo in the 35th minute! 

Bodo didn't have many chances until the end of the half and called for a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. The ref said to play on. The match was 2:0 for Dinamo at the half.  

The second half started without any changes.

Bodo had their first chance of the second half in the 51st minute when Mvuka came up the right side. Boško Šutalo was calm and cleared any danger. 

Dinamo continued to press but without great opportunities. The first yellow card of the match went to Webanmogo in the 58th minute. 

Dinamo made their first subs in the 60th minute - Špikić and Baturina came off for Emreli and Gojak.

Bodo had a great chance in the 62nd minute. Livaković struggled to defend Mvuka's shot and Salvesen failed to reach the deflection in time 

Bodo made their first subs two minutes later - Grunbaek and Espejord entered for Hagen and Salvesen.

Bodo was continuing to press and got hungrier for a goal, which finally happened in the 69th minute. A hiccup in Dinamo's defense allowed Grunbaek to score for 2:1. The aggregate was now 2:2. 

Dilaver entered for Peric in the 71st minute. 

Dinamo started to lose their rhythm and Bodo continued to attack. Drmić entered for Orsic in the 82nd minute. 

The ref added 6 minutes of stoppage time to the match. At 2:1, the match went to extra time. 

Ademi came off for Bočkaj and Ljubičić moved to the midfield.

Dinamo had their first corner of extra time in the 100th minute, which was cleared out by Bodo's defense.

Pelligrino had a dangerous chance from a header in the 103rd minute. A minute later, Drmic had a 1-on-1 with the Bodo keeper but was called offside. 

The second half started at 2:1. 

In the 106th minute, Vetti and Konradsen entered for Amundsen and Vetlesen.

Moharrami received a yellow card in the 109th minute.

Another change for Bodo - Skau was subbed on for Wembangomo.

But it all changed in the 117th minute - Dinamo took advantage of a rattled Bodo defense and Drmic scored for 3:1! And Dinamo wasn't finished yet -a quick counter and another 1-on-1 with the Bodo keeper - the ball found Bockaj for 4:1 Dinamo and the final whistle! 

With this result, Dinamo has thus secured their spot in the Champions League this season. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

August 24, 2022 - The Biggest Croatian Fish Stew Day, Fishing Days, Wine Marathon, and World Fishing Championship. September in Baranja looks eventful. Over 15,000 visitors are expected.

As Glas Slavonije writes, since the beginning of the year, more than 13,000 tourists visited Baranja, accounting for approximately 23,000 overnight stays.

The results are significantly better than last year, reaching the level of the record 2019. A real tidal wave of arrivals and overnight stays is expected during September when several events will be held in Baranja that have recently become famous outside of the county borders.

“Judging by the announcements, we expect about 15,000 visitors at the September events alone, mostly domestic, but with a respectable number of foreign visitors as well”, said Matej Perkušić, director of the Baranja Tourist Board, stressing that this should be felt in the occupancy of accommodation capacities throughout Baranja, but also in Osijek and its surroundings. It all starts with the Biggest Croatian Fish Stew Festival, which will take place in Beli Manastir on September 3. It is a "two in one" competition - the Croatian Championship, for the winners of the Slavonia-Baranja competition, and the amateur championship, for everyone else. In total, more than 200 chefs are expected.

“About 70 amateur chefs have applied so far, and we expect the majority of applications a day or two before the deadline, which is in less than a week”, said Perkušić. Along with several interesting games, the bands TS Žeteoci and Magazin will be in charge of entertainment.

The middle of September is reserved for another established Baranja event, Fishing Days in Kopačevo. Ten thousand visitors were there last year, and as many are expected this year as well.

“Last year, because of the pandemic, we decided that Fishing Days would be a three-day event, and it turned out to be a complete success. Therefore, this year they will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (September 16 - 18)”, said Željko Cickaj, mayor of Bilje Municipality, pointing out that visitors can expect between four and five tons of fish, to which the "gastro programs" must be added, organised alongside with the central part. In addition to local delicacies, guests will also be able to enjoy a cultural and entertainment program. On Friday, after the official opening, the band Gazde will play, followed by TS Kvinta in the tent. Saturday is reserved for The Garden, klapa Rišpet, and TS Nesanica (in the tent), and on Sunday there will be a traditional fish stew cook-off, several traditional music, and dance ensembles, and TS Sitan Vez will perform.

“Although this year there is a problem with acquiring the needed quantities, the members of the hunting club from Kopačevo started their preparations on time, so there will be enough fish” Cickaj pointed out.

And on the last weekend of September (Friday and Saturday), all roads will lead to Zmajevac, to its mountain paths and wine cellars.

“We expect that approximately 2,500 marathoners will “run” the marathon this year, possibly more. Applications started back in February. For example, the team from Hungary that participated in the marathon last year had six members. This year, they expanded the team to 73 members, for both days” on behalf of the organizer, the Surduk Association, said Kristijan Horvat. This year, the partner countries will be Hungary and North Macedonia. An interesting entertainment program awaits visitors. Although the dice are still “coming together”, Frajle, Hungarian violinist Nyari Bernardett, and Macedonian artist Tijana Dabčević will perform together on Friday. The arrival of Tamara Tadevska, who defended the Macedonian colours at the Eurovision Song Contest, is also planned. Concerts on two stages are planned for Saturday.

How good is your knowledge of eastern Croatia? Take the CROMADS test above - how many places do you recognise?

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Travel section.

ZAGREB, 24 Aug (Hina) - Finance Minister Marko Primorac said on Wednesday that there was no "poll tax" on guest workers and that the Tax Administration's actions were in line with the principle of worldwide income taxation and the exchange of information between EU member states in general.

"The Tax Administration will not put its hand in anyone's pocket, but there are certain mechanisms that are continuously implemented, and this should be observed that way, and our citizens can relax," said Primorac, responding to reporters after a meeting of the national council for the introduction of the euro currency.

He added that the Tax Administration could explain in detail any questions citizens may have about this and individual cases, such as seafarers, saying that this is by no means a racket or extortion and that he does not know why it was described as such in the media.

Energy prices

When asked about the energy crisis and what measures the government is preparing, Minister Primorac said that a set of measures is being formed in accordance with the budget's capacities, adding that there is a budget surplus but that it is not a large one, and the question is who will get what.

"We will certainly respond, but we will not use all the leeway available to us right away but will leave it for later," said the minister.

He also underscored that measures must be implemented in a targeted manner because any state interventionism affects inflation.

"As for the fiscal leeway, if we determine by the end of the year that it has not been used, we will use it and distribute any surplus funds before the end of the year if there are any," he added, but also underlined that there will not be enough funds to appease everyone.

He also said that they will not be able to limit prices in a market economy and that citizens themselves must find ways to save while the government and the Ministry of Finance will help the most vulnerable groups.

Primorac commented on the possibility of heating reductions in schools and said that he hoped that no one would be cold and that public institutions would have to be assisted to continue their activities. He did not wish to comment on the measures in advance because it still needs to be seen what they will be.