March 1, 2021 - Cafe terraces reopen in Split after three (very long) months! A look at the cafe scene in sunny Split today. 

March is off to a fabulous start as cafe terraces around Croatia reopen for the first time in three months. 

Recall, the National Civil Protection Headquarters announced last week that cafe terraces would reopen, but still under some strict guidelines. Namely, catering facilities can operate from 6 am to 10 pm, but only in open areas of the facility, while respecting the distance between guests of a minimum of three meters between tables and 1.5 meters between chairs. Terraces with plexiglass must be opened to allow airflow. 

Hand disinfectant should also be available at the entrance, and masks are required when going to the toilet indoors, which must be clearly stated.

Music was originally banned, but the associations of musicians and caterers reached an agreement with the Headquarters, so music is also allowed, provided it is not too loud. 

On a sunny morning in Split, with temperatures already reaching 14 degrees Celsius by 10 am, eager citizens flocked to cafe terraces around the city, and especially to the beloved Riva, where they had to fight for benches or enjoy hot drinks propped up against walls until now. 

Waiters expect the biggest buzz around noon, though many early birds could hardly wait to reinstate their morning ritual - coffee, newspaper, and good company. 

In the past 24 hours, 91 new coronavirus infections and 11 related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 response team said on Monday.

There are currently 2,892 active cases, including 791 hospitalized patients, 64 of whom are on ventilators.

Since 25 February 2020, when the first case was registered in Croatia, 243,064 cases have been registered, including 5,537 deaths.

A total of 234,635 patients have recovered, including 401 in the past 24 hours.

Currently, 14,074 people are self-isolating.

To date, 1,346,946 people have been tested for the virus, including 2,294 in the past 24 hours.

Photos by Mirela Rus

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

February 26, 2021 - New rules for cafes, restaurants, and sports in Croatia will take effect from March 1. Index.hr finds out the details. 

Index.hr reports that on Monday, March 1, the measures will definitely be relaxed, and the much-anticipated opening of cafe and restaurant terraces will take place.

This is clear after Thursday's government session at which Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced the opening of terraces and concessions in sports.

"By all indications, the situation is better, but it still requires great caution. To remain responsible in protecting citizens from the coronavirus epidemic, after a series of consultations with several departments, the intention is that from March 1, the work of catering facilities, in addition to what has been relaxed so far, will be opened on terraces and open spaces," said Plenković and announced that training would be held indoors, with some exceptions when it comes to contact and collective sports.

Strict epidemiological rules will be prescribed for both terraces and concessions in sports, which the Headquarters will talk more about on Friday.

New rules for cafes and restaurants
As Index has learned, music will be banned on the terraces of cafes and restaurants. Sources close to Headquarters said that this was insisted on to prevent people from speaking louder by shouting over the music, which they believe increases the risk of spreading the infection. Terraces must be open, not closed with glass, plexiglass, or otherwise.

The distance between the tables should be as before, three meters. Different groups of guests will need to maintain a distance of at least a meter and a half to two. 

Guests will be able to go to the toilet inside the restaurant and cafe and must wear a mask. 

Opening hours, as before the closure of cafes and restaurants, will be until 10 pm.

Details of concessions in sports
As far as sports are concerned, team sports training such as basketball will be possible, but not competitions. In agreement with epidemiologists, the Headquarters decided on this option because the same group of people trains together, and there is not much interference.

The use of locker rooms and showers will be prohibited.

In sports where close contact is made, neither training nor competition is likely to be allowed.

Fairs, however, remain closed
The Headquarters discussed the reopening fairs for a long time, but it was decided that they would not open in the end.

When thinking about opening fairs, the Headquarters primarily considers Zagreb's Hrelić, where items are sold or exhibited. Still, they feared fairs in smaller places, including the consumption of food and drinks and even festivities, where compliance with measures would be difficult to control.

Božinović on concessions
Chief of the Headquarters and Interior Minister Davor Božinović spoke about the new measures valid from March 1.

"The Croatian Institute of Public Health will soon issue special recommendations on the conditions for easing measures. We can expect those classic measures, the distance between tables, especially if people come from different households. This will have to take into account the number of people who can be on the terraces. The terraces must be open," Božinović said.

"However, we have seen growth in recent days, and we must be careful. We cannot experience this as if the epidemic is coming to an end or is over. We are not at that stage yet. We urge everyone to be careful, especially those responsible for organizing work in their facilities. We know that in recent months they have called for opening under certain measures," he said, adding that the Headquarters has been seeking a balance between epidemiological measures and the preservation of the economy since day one.

Minister of Health Vili Beroš also spoke about the relaxation of measures on Thursday night.

"Local headquarters can adopt more restrictive measures, so we agree with Dubrovnik-Neretva County. We are in everyday communication, and their move is an indicator of responsibility. Today, the Prime Minister announced new measures; they will be presented tomorrow. There should be an epidemiological framework for many of our activities, and it will be the same as before - space between tables, guests, hygiene… Probably not everyone will open, depending on the location, size of the terrace. Still, we can now relax this measure," Beroš said for Dnevnik N1 and added that the circumstances are in favor of preventing the spread of the epidemic.

"After opening the terraces, if the situation worsens, we will have to take other steps," he concluded.

To read more about COVID-19 in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.