ZAGREB, 24 July 2022 - In the last 24 hours, 1,076 coronavirus cases, out of 3,109 tests, and 11 related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Sunday, adding that there are 10,302 active cases.

Hospitalisations stand at 595, including 13 patients on ventilators, while 5,563 persons are self-isolating.

Croatia has registered 1,177,595 coronavirus cases to date, the death toll is 16,217, and 70.84% of adults have ben vaccinated, including 68.80% fully.

For everything you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, bookmark our dedicated section and select your preferred language if it isn't English.

July 27, 2020 – OPINION: Marc Rowlands downplays the doom and gloom, claiming it will take even more than 2020's disasters to permanently damage Zagreb

International readers must think the city has fallen. After the triple hit of COVID-19, the strongest earthquake in a century, and last weekend's floods, they must imagine the people of Zagreb to be largely underwater, the tips of their toes resting on rubble, struggling to breathe above the waves through their surgical masks.

Their suspicions would only be justified if they're reading the comments sections of the coverage. “Oh, whatever next?”, “What will become of us?”, “May God save us!”, “First an earthquake, now snow! It's the end of the world!”, “It's because of global warming, I told you years ago. Now, not even my bitterness can save us”. Jadni smo (poor us).

That's because there are two types of people in this world; the doom-mongers - useless pessimists who sigh, tut, and briefly sympathise while reading the news, and then there are the positive thinkers who actually get up off their ass and help out. Sadly, the internet is full of the former. Thankfully, Zagreb is full of the latter.

Take for example Mirna Mrčela, who rescued a man from a sinking car on Friday night. Did she stop to worry about the implications for her or for the sunken city before diving into waters on Miramarska street to save him? She did not.

What about the young Zagreb residents who gave up their free time to help rebuild people's homes following this year's earthquakes? Or those who volunteered to help move children from the damaged wards of a hospital? What about the thousands of Croats who thought of innovative or compassionate schemes to raise money for those affected? Or the many more who donated? Or those who used their own drones to help assess damage to buildings? Was their assistance delayed by worry and self-pity? No.


Thousands of young people have been gathering outside the Croatian National Theatre at weekends. The real picture in Zagreb © Marc Rowlands

Even aside those who actually helped out, the story of Zagreb in the wake of both the earthquake and the floods has been one of irrepressible resilience, optimism, and joy. Thousands of young people have gathered outside the Croatian National Theatre at weekends simply enjoying to be, and each other. In recent weeks, Ribnjak Park, Zrinjevac Park, and Strossmayer Promenade in the city have come alive with gastronomic events, music, and people enjoying themselves.

On Monday 27 July, as the sun shines brightly above Zagreb, the last remnants of the flood are all but gone. People are at work, as usual, and some tourists can be seen taking tours around Tkalčićeva and the cathedral. No matter what news story comment sections might tell you, this city is open for business. Zagreb has seen much worse than this. And it will take a lot more than rain, earthquakes or, yes, even snow to dampen its spirits.

March 19, 2020 - A significant lockdown in Croatia came into effect at midnight. What exactly will remain open for people in terms of shops and facilities?

A very different feel this morning as people woke up to a significant lockdown in Croatia, as new emergency measures announced yesterday came into effect.  

So what exactly is still open, what is closed, and what are the current social distancing and social gathering rules? Index has summarised the list below.

From 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 and one (1) meter outdoors.

The anti-epidemic measures required by this Decision are: a ban on holding all public events and the gathering of more than 5 persons in one place and the suspension of trade activities except:

grocery store

food and hygiene items

market and fish market   

specialized stores selling and dispensing (pharmacies)   

specialized stores selling and dispensing veterinary medicinal products   

agricultural pharmacies   

gas stations   

kiosks   

bakeries   

laundrettes   

specialized stores selling orthopedic and other aids   

specialized baby equipment stores   

specialized animal feed stores   

issuance of construction materials based on retail order   

logistic and distribution centers for food, beverages and hygiene products   

wholesalers

post offices 

banks

Which activities have been suspended with the lockdown in Croatia?

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

The government now has an official website for the crisis, where you can find the latest about the lockdown in Croatia, as well as all other updates. The website is in Croatian, but Google Translate is your friend. 

For the latest on the coronavirus crisis in English, follow the dedicated TCN section.