ZAGREB, November 30, 2020 - The government has not found a solution for all businesses that have been strongly affected by the coronacrisis, the Voice of Entrepreneurs (UGP) association said on Monday after a meeting with government officials, adding that compensatory measures need to include all affected activities.

Government representatives met with employers and representatives of the hospitality sector today to present compensatory measures designed to help offset the consequences of the latest lockdown imposed due to the deteriorated epidemiological situation in the country.

UGP underlined that it had much higher expectations from the meeting.

"We welcome some measures that were presented by ministers like the new COVID loans by HAMAG-BICRO. One of the recommendations is to compensate fixed costs but only for those activities that have been shut. We believe that all activities with a large fall in turnover need to be compensated regardless of whether they are formally shut," UPG said in a press release.

Citing the event industry, temporary providers of transport services, travel agencies and other activities that depend on activities that have been shut down, UPG wondered if they would be left to cave in.

One of UPG's proposals is a temporary reduction of VAT for the affected activities. The association believes that VAT should urgently be reduced to 13% in order to boost consumption and that a move like that would facilitate business for all affected activities, including hospitality and other service industries. Almost all EU countries have done just that, the association notes.

UPG president Hrvoje Bujas thinks that short-term measures are insufficient and that there is no plan for long-term reforms.

"We are unhappy. We presented clear and substantiated proposals that are in Croatia's interest, please listen to us," Bujas added.

November 26, 2020 –  From Saturday, November 28, 2020, catering facilities and gyms close in Croatia due to the introduction of new epidemiological measures. Here's a look at all new measures which will be in force until December 21, 2020.

Today at the press conference at 2 p.m., Prime Minister Andrej Plenković presented new, strict measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic. These measures will be in force at least until December 21, and according to Hina, Plenković announced a change in the law, which will enable the punishment of persons who do not adhere to the prescribed measures.

The measures suggest that all public events and gatherings with more than 25 people are prohibited, and a maximum of 10 people are allowed to participate in private gatherings.

Masks are obligatory in the outdoors when it is not possible to keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters. All public events should last until 10 p.m.

As we reported earlier, the work of all catering facilities is suspended, except for hotels and camps, who can only serve their guests, but the restaurants and bars are allowed to prepare and deliver food during their working hours.

Sports competitions and trainings are suspended, except for the highest levels of competition, all without spectators and with the adherence to the epidemiological measures. The work of gyms, fitness centers, and sports and recreation centers are suspended as well.

Wedding ceremonies are suspended, and a maximum of 25 people are allowed to attend funerals where condolences must not be expressed through close contact.

Public transport must not exceed 40 percent occupancy, while drivers and passengers are required to have face masks. The control will be carried out by inspectors.

Stores, shops, and shopping malls remain open but should have displayed information about the largest possible number of customers who can be in the space at the same time, and they need to enhance hygiene measures (cleaning, disinfecting, ventilating).

Working hours of bakeries are limited to 10 p.m. Prohibition of alcohol sales stays from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Casinos and bookmakers, as well as fairs and other forms of economic and tourist events, are suspended.

All amateur cultural and artistic performances, programs, and events, including choirs, are suspended, as well as composite musical stage performances involving orchestras and choirs. There are no rehearsals of amateur choirs, which also applies to church choirs.

Anti-epidemic measures restricting 25 people and completion by 10 p.m. do not apply to professional art performances and programs that do not include the performance of complex music and stage works that include orchestras and choirs, cinema screenings, and exhibitions in museums, galleries, and other exhibition spaces.

There is also no food consumption in the cinema. Also, the work of children's playrooms and dance schools is suspended. Foreign language schools can only operate online, as well as driving schools. While driving, instructor and trainees should wear masks.

It is recommended that masses are online, via radio and TV programs, without coming to religious facilities. There may be a maximum of 25 believers in the church at mass.

People who have any symptoms are prohibited from coming to work. Working from home is recommended, as well as sliding working hours, working in shifts and groups, fewer meetings, and regular ventilation of working space.

Plenković emphasized the fact that they are against complete closure and curfew, but they are introducing these measures in order to protect our health and limit certain activities that they believe will help reduce the infection. And they will also take care of the economy.

"Our goal is to ensure the sustainability of the health system in which our doctors, nurses, and health professionals make superhuman efforts to cure the sick and save every life. In parallel, testing capacity will be strengthened because we need to isolate every infected person," said Plenković.

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November the 22nd, 2020 - Minister Davor Bozinovic has stated that the most recently introduced anti-epidemic measures will be policed far more strictly than they have been in the past as the battle with the spread of the pandemic continues.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Davor Bozinovic, Chief of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, was a guest recently for HRT and spoke about the newly introduced measures in the fight against the spread of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

Davor Bozinovic said that he hoped that these new measures would lead to a slowdown in the infection and that was precsiely and solely why they were adopted.

"The measures depend on how many people will adhere to them. The measures imply the self-discipline of each one of us. The headquarters adopts measures, it will monitor the implementation of the measures and it will control them,'' he said.

Davor Bozinovic said the police were an integral part of the decision to monitor the implementation of the prescribed and introduced measures, and that things will be more strict now.

''The police, the State Inspectorate and the Directorate of Civil Protection and the Civil Protection Headquarters by county, city and municipality will all be involved. However, the police will now be much stricter in implementing these measures. Through the basic and criminal police, they will investigate the possible existence of misdemeanors and the criminal liability of legal and natural persons,'' the minister warned.

Davor Bozinovic said that the situation in Croatia and its neighbouring countries that have introduced stricter measures is being monitored all the time.

"We introduce measures rationally and thoughtfully and their implementation will be monitored. The epidemiological situation in the future and possible new measures will also decided upon,'' he said.

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ZAGREB, November 2, 2020 - President Zoran Milanovic said on Monday that he would support a possible lockdown to help in efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus, but he would oppose a curfew, explaining that Croatia is not in a state of war but in an emergency situation.

"I will be the first one to back a lockdown but not a curfew," Milanovic said, adding that he was against a curfew and against situations where people, who, for instance, walk their dogs after 8 p.m., have to explain why they are outside.

Addressing reporters after a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Social Democratic Party at whose helm he was from mid-2007 to late 2016, the president said that any decision on imposing a lockdown could not be made by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic or the head of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), Krunoslav Capak, but that it was the responsibility of the national parliament.

Damage to be caused by a lockdown is huge, people are at the end of their tether, notably those who do not work in the civil service, Milanovic said, adding that society should care for the elderly and the ill, while others should behave responsibly and prudently.

He went on to say that the current situation requires more engagement from some professionals, for instance, physicians, adding that "there are enough doctors, but they should be paid well," and that Finance Minister Zdravko Maric should take care of that.

In a message to the government and the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Milanovic said they should not be "hiding behind clerks" and leaving decisions they are afraid to make to HZJZ head Krunoslav Capak.

"It is unfair," he added.

Milanovic says willing to attend Vukovar commemorative march but...

In connection with the 29th anniversary of the fall of the eastern town of Vukovar and the southern town of Skabrnja into the hands of the Yugoslav People's Army and rebel Serbs, to be marked on 18 November, Milanovic said that he was willing to attend the commemoration in Vukovar.

"A lot will depend on an agreement between Plenkovic, (war veterans' minister Tomo) Medved and (Vukovar Mayor Ivan) Penava and the local bunch," Milanovic said, adding that attending the ceremonies was definitely an honour and a duty.

He noted, however, that before his departure to Vukovar he would consult the Security and Intelligence Agency (SOA), because "I do not have to take part in any shows."

In that context, he said that he did not want a recurrence of the situation of 18 November 2013, when he and some other state officials were prevented from joining the commemorative march through the city.

October 4, 2020 - The Croatian Headquarters passed new coronavirus measures in several counties on Saturday. A closer look. 

Index.hr reports that another 241 coronavirus cases were recorded in Croatia on Saturday, two people died and the number of active cases was 1447, the National Civil Protection Headquarters reported on Saturday.

Head of the Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak, commented on Saturday's figures. 

"It would certainly be better if the number was smaller. 240 is a big number; we had a big number of 333 yesterday (Friday), we hope it's a peak. There were those few events that generated such a big number. Of course, we expect and prepare for a worse situation when it starts to rain, when the cold starts, and when people will spend more time indoors," said Capak for Dnevnik.hr.

"We are certainly preparing a mandatory measure of wearing masks indoors. We will discuss other measures with certain sectors of the economy and adopt them in agreement with them," Capak added in an interview with N1.

New measures of the Croatian Headquarters

The Croatian Headquarters adopted measures for the town of Popovača, Požega-Slavonia, Koprivnica-Križevci, and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties.

Measures for the city of Popovača

At the proposal of the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Sisak-Moslavina County, the necessary epidemiological measures for the area of the town of Popovača are being introduced for a period of 14 days.

Necessary epidemiological measures are:

- in all enclosed spaces where trades are performed and institutions engaged in public activity, it is obligatory to wear face masks or medical masks correctly;
- a maximum of 50 persons may be present at wedding ceremonies in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures;
- a maximum of 50 people may be present at a funeral in compliance with anti-epidemic measures, without gatherings, and condolences to the bereaved must not be expressed through close contact;
- sports competitions can only be held without the presence of spectators;
- when entering public institutions, the parties are obliged to wear a face mask or medical mask, disinfect their hands and fill in a health questionnaire;
- family farms that provide catering services are obliged to provide their services in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures, and groups with more than 30 people may not be hosted;
- livestock fairs and similar exhibitions and events are suspended;
- visits to the sick, homes for the elderly and infirm, and other social welfare institutions are prohibited;
- recommended that homes for the elderly and infirm and other institutions in the social welfare system organize shift work whenever possible;
- recommended that the sessions of the City Council of the City of Popovača and the assemblies of associations and organizations in the area of ​​the City of Popovača be organized online or in another appropriate way without gathering participants at the same place;
- recommended that all social gatherings (events, exhibitions, scientific gatherings, various events, etc.) in the area of ​​the City of Popovača be postponed.

Restrictions in Požega County

In Požega-Slavonia County, wedding ceremonies will have to be registered with the competent civil protection service by October 20. They will be able to accommodate a maximum of 50 people.

Extension of the measure for Koprivnica-Križevci

In Koprivnica-Križevci County, the prescribed epidemiological measures are extended and will last until November 5.

Measures for the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

Epidemiological measures have been introduced in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County:

- the obligation to wear face masks or medical masks properly in all enclosed spaces and on public transport
- a maximum of 500 people may be present at public events, manifestations, and gatherings indoors, and 1000 people in open spaces
- a maximum of 50 people can be present at all private gatherings and ceremonies (weddings and weddings, funerals, birthdays)
- recommended that the elderly and risk groups not to use public transport between 6:00 and 8:30
- recommended that employers organize work from home where possible
- recommended that employers to encourage wearing face masks or medical masks in the workplace when possible and epidemiologically justified

- recommend to employers who work indoors to provide conditions for maintaining a physical distance of 2 meters in all directions when possible

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September 22, 2020 - For six consecutive weeks this summer, the Martinska venue alone welcomed over 10, 000 international visitors to its music festivals in Sibenik. Zero cases of Coronavirus occurred.

Over recent years, three things have firmly placed Croatia on the international stage – Game Of Thrones, the World Cup and music festivals. Running for over a decade now, music festivals are the oldest of these. They have elevated places like Pula and Tisno to become among the most-Googled destinations in the country.

So popular now are Croatia music festivals, that many say the summer season of music festivals in Croatia has supplanted the famous hedonistic holidays of Ibiza as the hippest place to go. Incredible disappointment was therefore felt by tens of thousands of expectant party people earlier this year when most of the international Croatia music festivals decided to cancel their 2020 events. They did so in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

One venue stood alone – Martinska, a 20-year-old site for music festivals in Sibenik. Over six consecutive weeks, all of their 2020 festivals took place. They did so under strict adherence to epidemiological guidelines. And, following a wait of two weeks after the final event (to cover any potential Coronavirus incubation period), site organisers Pozitivan Ritam have released their results - zero cases of Coronavirus.

“It's not only the five festivals and one concert event that we did,” Pozitivan Ritam director Vedran Meniga told TCN, “The Fortress of Culture in Sibenik had more than 30 events this summer and Project Vojarna in Sibenik had two parties this year with over 4000 people. On one RTL television show, they described Sibenik as the Croatian Wuhan when 3000 people were in the town for one techno party there. But, at the end of the season, none of these events resulted in a single Coronavirus infection. Not one.”

Following a successful lockdown earlier in the year, cases of Coronavirus were limited in Croatia at the start of the season. Yet, some were understandably hesitant to come. Music festivals in Sibenik still managed to attract visitors from Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to Martinska. Even after the middle of August when cases began to appear in other regions and international visitor numbers dried up, the festival site was still busy with Croatians and partygoers from near-neighbouring countries. At the end of August, there were no more than five infected persons in Sibenik. None were music festival or music event attendees. Throughout much of the summer, Sibenik recorded zero cases.

“The music festivals in Sibenik are proof that it's possible to work doing events during the era of Corona,” Meniga tells TCN. “Of course, all of our events were open-air and no doubt that helped.”

"When cases started to reappear elsewhere at the end of July, I went to the civil authorities and epidemiologists immediately, before they came to us,” says Vedran. “The civil authorities and the police grant the license for the events. I presented them with a plan and they were satisfied. They allowed us to continue.”

“It helped that Martinska is across the bay from Sibenik. Festival attendees don't even need to go into the town to come, they drive here straight from the Magistrala (Croatian coastal highway). Also, Martinska's capacity is five times bigger than the numbers we were going to cater for. The site can accommodate six to seven thousand. We expected no more than 1500 daily. That was more than enough space to maintain physical distance. We carefully took all contact details for each attendee at the entrance, in case something appeared and we (or authorities) had to later contact people. We also took everyone's temperature. And in addition to the required epidemiological sanitization, we also installed disinfectant pillars at every single point where money or goods exchanged hands. All our staff wore not only masks but also gloves. Four times the civil authorities made surprise visits to the site for inspection along with epidemiologists and police. Each time they were completely satisfied.”

Current forecasts for the Coronavirus response predict that a vaccine will not be available to cover everyone until the autumn of 2021. This has serious implications for at least one more tourist season. Yet, with the incredible achievements seen this summer at Martinska's music festivals in Sibenik, we can all take hope that events, tourism, and even life itself may continue to be enjoyed in the near future, as long as we're all smart about it.



All photos 2020 Martinska © Seasplash / Pozitivan Ritam. 

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ZAGREB, September 1, 2020 - Wearing face masks in the Parliament chamber will be mandatory as of Wednesday, and not more than 41 MPs will be allowed to attend per session, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said on Tuesday after a meeting of the Parliament Presidency.

"We have decided that masks will be mandatory for plenary sessions, and we will strictly abide by this. This will no longer be a recommendation, but an obligation," Jandrokovic told the press, stressing that the decision was made unanimously.

He said that the decision was made in accordance with the recommendations of the Croatian Public Health Institute and medical organisations because of the current epidemiological situation and the fact that one MP was positive for the coronavirus.

Any MP not wearing a face mask will first be cautioned by the chairperson and if they refuse to put it on, they will be asked to leave or face being escorted out by security. "We will not be aggressive, but we must protect MPs' health. We will not wear masks just for our own sake, but to protect others as well," Jandrokovic said.

The new parliament will return to the work regime that had been in place during the previous parliament, that is only 41 of 151 MPs plus the chairperson will be allowed to attend per session.

This number was arrived at by dividing the number of members of each political group by four, as a result of which the ruling HDZ party will be entitled to have 16 MPs present, the Social Democrats nine, the Homeland Movement three, Bridge and the green-left bloc two each, and the other groups one each.

"In that way we will ensure a sufficient physical distance," Jandrokovic said, adding that the option of electronic voting would also be used.

Parliament begins an extraordinary sitting on Wednesday which will last until the end of next week, while it will sit regularly as of September 16.

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August 31, 2020 - A few days ago, epidemiologists showed they'd had enough of belittling, endless days, and disrespect for their profession, reports Jutarnji.hr. That's why the President of the Croatian Epidemiological Society, Dr. Miroslav Venus, accompanied by three other colleagues, took a list of their requests to the Minister of Health, Dr. Vili Beros.

The proposal of measures for the improvement of the work on the control of the spread of the new coronavirus was published on August the 29th on the Society's website. In addition to most of the 11 requests/proposals, the epidemiologists meticulously wrote a possible solution. They left no room for excuses. In addition, Dr. Venus says that everything that is written is also achievable. Most of this can already be implemented in practice today and make life easier for Croatia's epidemiologists.

Endless questions

After countless requests, and finally warnings, too, the Ministry is first asked to remove their phone numbers from the TV screen.

"Sick people, those who suspect that they've contracted the disease or want a consultation must call an epidemiologist directly. Well, one hundred and three of us spend most of our time answering endless questions from worried people. Their concern is clear, but the answers should be given to them by the service that was abolished today on the number 113," says Dr. Venus on behalf of all of his colleagues.

It would also be good, they suggest, to open up the possibility of communication via SMS.

Since they need help, because the service is not only bursting at the seams but is also threatened with collapse, they suggest that newly graduated doctors who would work under supervision could help them. They also want to enable the redeployment of specialists within the Institute. Underestimating their profession was never clear to them. So, while the Ministry finances specialisations in all fields today, epidemiologists must be paid by the Institute itself. They are looking for a change to this.

Croatia's epidemiologists are aware that the economy can no longer suffer and are proposing a new model for referring people to self-isolation. "The SARS-CoV-2 virus is in local transmission, so the measures of wearing masks, physical distance, hygiene, and disinfection apply to everyone. Only the contacts of those infected should be placed in self-isolation if they are from strategic activities - such as health workers and people working in nursing homes. All other contacts would do their job with precautionary measures in place anyway," the epidemiologists state as a suggestion on how to help the economy, especially small businesses.

They also suggested to Vili Beros that all institutes should have their own testing devices, and they can buy them from decentralised funds that the state has provided to local governments. Most importantly, they require the greater involvement of family doctors in combating the spread of the virus. Family doctors are a sharp thorn in the side of epidemiologists.

"We're looking for their greater involvement, such as enrolling in the platform and checking in on those who are infected. When I enroll them I don't want to take care of them anymore. I leave them to their chosen doctor because new infected people come to me and I have to make time for them at that point. They have a contract with HZZO, let them threaten to terminate the contract and then the problem is solved," said one epidemiologist.

The human factor

"I read somewhere that concessionaires were involved in only 10 percent of activities during the epidemic, as if it doesn't concern them. Clearly I can't generalise though. I told Vili Beros precisely that. Don’t let us convince you that this is impossible. Personally, there are family medicine doctors in our field with whom we have excellent cooperation and those with whom we don't. It all comes down to the human factor. This is too serious of a situation for ‘I'd like to or I'd not like to. I would not like to that much either. I'd also go out and watch football today, but I have to call the contacts of those infected and those who are infected," explained Dr. Venus.

Minister Beros listened to the proposals and immediately called his associates who could look into them and gave them instructions. This is a good sign for Croatia's enfeebled epidemiologists. In doing so, some of the solutions do not require additional time and money. Their implementation can begin from September the 1st. “Family doctors can be immediately warned to increase their engagement,” the epidemiologists suggest.

"All of this doesn't make sense anymore. People, let's get serious. We feel like we've drawn the short straw here, we've been second-class citizens for months because someone protests whatever we do," complained Dr. Venus.

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August 20, 2020 – Slovenians must quarantine if returning from Croatia after the weekend, but what are the implications of Croatia on Slovenia RED list?

Update on August 20, after the official placement of Croatia on Slovenia RED list by the Slovenian government was made public: in order to make things easier for their nationals currently vacationing in Croatia, Slovenia has decided to extend the deadline for the return to Slovenia until Monday. Slovenians who own real-estate and boats in Croatia are given an extra 48 hours, so they can take care of their property before leaving Croatia without self-isolating upon return. 

As reported in TCN yesterday, Slovenia has designated Croatia on Slovenia RED list as a country on its red list for travel. Sounds bad. But, what does it actually mean?

Well, for Slovenes, the choice is pretty simple – return home before the end of the weekend, or you'll face a mandatory two-week quarantine and Coronavirus test when you do. The quarantine and test will apply automatically to any Slovene travelling to Croatia after Friday.

But, what are the implications of Croatia on Slovenia RED list?

Well, the mandatory quarantine and test apply to any Croatian entering Slovenia after the weekend. There are exceptions – if you're just passing through, say, on your way to Austria or Germany, the quarantine doesn't apply. You'll have a maximum of 12 hours to travel into, through, and out of Slovenia. The same goes for delivery drivers who are just dropping off or picking up. You can stop for gas and use the WC. Special permits are also available for those who have to cross the border for daily trade.

Not such a big deal for Croats, then? Well, we'll have to wait and see. But, it doesn't look good. The economic implications could bite much harder.

From June, Slovenians have accounted for 7 million overnight stays in Croatia. As reported continuously in TCN's 2020 travel and tourism coverage, regional tourism - lead by those travelling by car – has accounted for the largest number of arrivals this year. Numbers of Slovenes holidaying in Croatia are actually up by as much as 3 percent compared to the same period last year.


In 2020, visitors from Croatia's next-door neighbour have been more important - and more numerous - than ever before, until Croatia on Slovenia RED list

According to the Croatian National Tourist Board, Slovenes accounted for 8.7% of arrivals and 11.5% of overnight stays in total over 2019, second only to Germans. During this 2020 season, in which their custom is more important than ever, the financial impact on Croatia may be much more damaging than that incurred from similarly imposed classifications by Austria and Italy, who recently announced mandatory testing for all returnees.

The peak days of the season are already behind us but, truth be told, the season only began in earnest a month ago. There was no pre-season this year. Hopes of an extended season, based on the optimistic numbers of July / early August, now seem to be dashed, due to the rise in number of COVID-19 infections. Certainly from the Slovenian market.

Will Slovenes and others accept a mandatory quarantine in exchange for their annual break on the Croatian coast? Some may. Surely, some won't. Any Slovenes planning trips in late August or September have been given serious cause to reconsider, thanks to the new classification. School and work start again in September – how does a two-week mandatory quarantine fit into that schedule?

Nobody really knows how long the 'red card' Slovenia has given Croatia will last, nor when it will end. The answer presumably lies in Croatia's ability to address its number of newly infected. Before all criticism for the stranglehold this classification places on the 2020 season is attributed to Slovenia, Croatia must first ask itself some tough questions; could Croatia – from staff and owners in the service industry, right the way up to state level - have done more to keep the numbers down? For it is the numbers now that can help save the remainder of Croatia's 2020 tourist season, not the Slovenes.

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July 4, 2020 - Krunoslav Capak was a guest on HRT, admitting that the increase in the number of coronavirus infections in Croatia surprised him.

"I wouldn't say we should be worried, but it forces us to be careful. We expected the number to increase after the opening. We had zero or one case for a long time. In the meantime, we have opened the economy, opened schools and colleges. We expected it to grow, but not to grow with this ferocity. We had the misfortune to have these three hotspots. For the hotspot in Đakovo, the nuns were in Kosovo, it's a system where a lot of people are indoors," says Capak for Index.hr.

He says the virus is not spreading uncontrollably.

"I wouldn't say it is spreading uncontrollably. We don't know at first how someone got infected. Later they remember some detail, where they could have been infected. Then the network closes, we find out. I'd say we have a low number of cases where we don’t know how they got infected," Capak said.

He referred to testing, that is, the number of tests being done.

"We think we set the testing targets well. We had ten percent positives in the first part of the epidemic. We have more capacity, we can test more, but we have no indication of that. When we think it makes sense to test, then we test," he said. 

He also commented on the fact that the last time the number of newly infected was so high, we were in quarantine.

"Quarantine is very good for preventing spread, but it is unbearable. We can't do that for long. Quarantine is great for preventing infection, but it creates big problems for us in the functioning of society and the state. That's why it must be lifted. We knew when we lifted the measures, there would be an increase in the number of cases. We were a little surprised by that ferocity, but we feel we are keeping things under control," he said.

"We have now introduced masks in public transport. The possibility of introducing them to some other facilities is being considered. The possibility of closing clubs indoors is being considered. For now, their work is being controlled. Commissions visiting clubs say there are no more violations. But there is a possibility on the table for clubs to close," he said.

"We have to decide where our dominant source of infection is. We closed the borders because we wanted to give a little more warning to citizens crossing the border. We thus gave one direct warning, that number has decreased. Now the borders are open, but people who do not have a strong reason to enter Croatia are being rejected," Capak said.

He was also asked about the situation in Serbia, where elections were also held recently.

"If you remember, four weeks ago, Macedonia had over a hundred cases a day. Then it spilled over to Serbia. That was before the election. Whether the election contributed to that is hard to say," Capak said.

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