Friday, 18 December 2020

Beros: Acquiring Immunity Doesn't Mean That One is Not Infectious to Others

ZAGREB, Dec 18, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros on Friday warned that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and people without symptoms can still infect others with coronavirus, underscoring that only vaccination can result in collective immunity. 

"It is important to know that people who have recovered from COVID can still infect other," Beros told a press conference by the national COVID response team when asked how people should act after recovery.

He explained that people who have recovered from COVID obtain immunity which means that they will probably not be ill in the coming period however that does not mean that they won't infect someone else.

"We have to think of others. Wearing masks is of essential importance as is vaccination. In order to obtain herd immunity we have to consider vaccination and protect not just oursevles but others too. Only by our concerted action, can we prevent the spread of this virus and epidemic," he explained.

He underscored the importance of tightening epidemiological measures ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays because of asymptomatic people.

"A certain portion of people who are infected are asymptomatic. They do not know that and they will visit their families, socialise with elderly members and transfer the virus," Beros said, explaining the reason to ban movement during the holidays.

Friday, 18 December 2020

First Small Batch of COVID-19 Vaccine to be Delivered on Dec 26 to Croatia

ZAGREB, Dec 18, 2020 - Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) director Krunoslav Capak said on Friday that Pfizer would dispatch the COVID vaccine to EU member states on December 26 and that Croatia was among the countries that would receive this symbolic quantity.

He added, however, that it was still unknown when Croatia would get the rest of the million doses it ordered.

Capak said the delivery was being discussed with Pfizer at EU level and that the company promised that the tranche for the last quarter of 2020 would be dispatched by the end of January.

We assume will know the quantity by the end of next week, he added.

7 m2 per person in churches on Dec 24, 25

Mass services with more than 25 people will be allowed on December 24 and 25, provided that each person has seven square metres at their disposal, which will ensure a 2.6-metre-distance between them,

Speaking at a press conference of the national COVID-19 response team, he said that before and after those two days the ban on more than 25 people gathering indoors and outdoors would remain in force.

The HZJZ will appeal to the Church and the clergy to make sure that believers comply with the restrictions. Outside churches, a maximum 25 people will be allowed to gather and the recommendation is that all services on Christmas Eve end by 10 p.m.

Asked why bars and restaurants were not allowed to work under the 7 m2 criterion per customer, Capak said the answer was "impossible."

"We keep telling you that, with the measures, we are trying to ban contacts, but without banning the activities which are necessary for economic, psychological, social and other reasons. This measure is tied to respecting believers' wishes and needs for spiritual peace and the need to celebrate this holiday."

Small quantity of COVID-19 vaccine to be delivered on Dec 26Infections have dropped 20% in one week

In the week of December 14-18, Croatia recorded 20% fewer infections than the week before, "for the first time in weeks," but it will take more time for this mild downward trends to be reflected in "the number of hospitalisations, persons on ventilators and deaths," said Capak.

Compared with other EU countries, Croatia continues to have one of the highest incidence rates, ranking third on December 17, after Luxembourg and Lithuania.

Health minister on travel restrictions, bonus for working with COVID patients

Health Minister Vili Beros said travel within the country was being restricted ahead of the upcoming holidays because of asymptomatic patients.

He also responded to complaints from medical staff that this month they did not get the promised salary bonus for working with COVID patients, saying they would get it with the salary for December.

He said some hospitals had calculated the salaries for November before receiving the notification on how to calculate the bonus. "Not one health worker who works with COVID patients will be left without their bonus."

Friday, 18 December 2020

Croatia Registers 3,272 New Coronavirus Cases, 68 Deaths

ZAGREB, Dec 18, 2020 - In the past 24 hours Croatia has registered 3,272 new cases of coronavirus after testing 10,849 people, while 68 people have died, the national COVID response team reported on Friday.

There are currently 2,918 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and 294 are on ventilators.

The total number of active cases stands at 21,297.

Since February 25, when the first cases was confirmed in Croatia, a total of 190,235 people have been infected with the novel virus, of whom 3,023 have died and 165,915 have recovered, with 4,352 recovering in the past 24 hours.

Currently, there are 54,587 people in self-isolation.

So far 931,358 people have been tested for the virus, including 10,849 in the past 24 hours.

Friday, 18 December 2020

Headquarters Announce New Measures in Croatia: Ban on Inter-County Travel, New Rules for Christmas Mass

December 18, 2020 - The National Civil Protection Headquarters announced new measures in Croatia at the 11 am press conference on Friday. 

Index.hr reports that in the last 24 hours, Croatia has recorded 3,222 new cases, and the current number of active cases is 21,297. 10,478 people were tested in the last 24 hours; there 310 new patients in the hospital. Compared to yesterday, there are 29 new patients on ventilators. 68 people died. 

“The seven-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants in the Republic of Croatia is 591.1. The highest is in Međimurje County, then Zagreb County, and the lowest in Dubrovnik-Neretva and Istria. Within the 14-day incidence rate, Croatia is in 25th place. Luxembourg and Lithuania are higher,” said Krunoslav Capak at the start of the press conference.

After Capak, Minister Vili Beroš took the floor: "Within the current knowledge, those who have already had coronavirus and currently have immunity will probably not get sick in the coming period. However, due to the presence of the virus, they can transmit it and infect other people. This is very important because even those who have survived can transmit the disease to others.

The virus has condemned us to togetherness, and in the context of measures, we must think of each other. Wearing masks is essential, as is vaccination. To achieve collective immunity, we need to talk about it because with the vaccine we are not only protecting ourselves but for others as well.”

Davor Božinović continued: "It is great to talk about the start of vaccination, but it is a process that will continue throughout the next year. We will be able to breathe a sigh of relief in the next six months if responsible. That is why we made several decisions until January 10, 2021. We are trying to send a message about how important it is to calm the population and discourage socializing in this risky period. It is a combination of measures of the Headquarters and other government activities," said Bozinovic, before introducing the measures. 

"First, there is the beginning of school holidays, allowing students to go on vacation until January 18. The movement and number of people in public transport will thus be reduced," Bozinovic said. He added that the government will hold talks with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. The initiative is for workers to use old vacations during Christmas and New Year decisions.

Two decisions have been made; one is the extension of measures with some changes.

"On Christmas Eve and Christmas, mass will be held according to the special instructions of the CNIPH, with one believer per 7 square meters of the church instead of 25 people, regardless of the church's size.

The rule of one person per 7 square meters is also introduced for cinemas, theaters, and other places that belong to the domain of culture.

It is forbidden to leave the county in which the person resides. This does not apply to emergency activities and supplies, daily migration, security services, pharmacy delivery, journalists, patients requiring medical purposes, commuting to and from work if necessary and cannot be done from home, emergency persons preventing the spread of COVID-19, and diplomatic staff.

This is not the introduction of passes; this is a travel ban. Passes are issued only in exceptional cases, when necessary. The message is that everyone refrains from traveling, visiting, and contact for the holidays. The intention is not to extend the restriction of movement after January 8," Bozinovic said.

"It is important to reduce work activity. It is not very high at this time of year anyway, but there are exceptions, so there is a possibility of passes for exceptional cases. We appeal to everyone to refrain from traveling and gathering and socializing for two weeks," said Bozinovic.

NEW EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MEASURES - from midnight on December 22 to January 10

School holidays

- Students are on holiday until January 18, which reduces student mobility and public transportation

Vacations

"On Wednesday, a meeting was held with representatives of the economy. The next two weeks, December 23 - January 8, to enable the use of annual leave to reduce the number of infected people further. Representatives of the largest trade union centers that support this initiative were also introduced," Bozinovic said.

Private gatherings and ceremonies

- maximum of 10 people

- maximum of 2 different households

Mass 

- when possible, via radio, TV programs, and otherwise

- exceptionally on December 24 and 25 according to special recommendations of the CNIPH

Professional and artistic performances

- the number of persons present is limited due to the size of the space

- at least 7 square meters per person

Ban on inter-county movement, from December 23 to January 8 (TCN has more on this HERE)

- it is forbidden to leave the county in which the person has a permanent or temporary residence. This does not apply to staff necessary for traffic maintenance, daily migration of employees in health care services, pharmacy delivery, utilities, gas and electricity supply, security services, journalists, patients, travel to and from work, emergency services to help prevent the spread of disease and diplomatic staff

- when entering/leaving the county, the measure should be adhered to, and you should have an identification card proving your status or pass

- the pass is issued by the county headquarters

- does not apply to the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County

- The travel ban enters into force on December 23 and lasts until January 8

Nove epidemiološke mjere od... by Tportal.hr

"We want to tell citizens to be patient through this risky part of the year without contact so we can wish each other all the best for the upcoming holidays. This is a time-limited decision and is not extended unless necessary due to the epidemiological situation. Around January 8, we will see the results of our behavior during the holidays."

As for people who have already paid for hotel accommodation or holiday home, Bozinovic said: "There are a number of justified reasons for issuing passes. These include people caring for the elderly, enforcing court decisions on the right to spend weekends with children, but also reservations for hotels and other accommodation until the day this decision takes effect. Those who have paid can keep their plan."

They also clarified measures related to churches. "HZJZ is preparing a special document for religious events. Every believer should have 7 square meters of space and there must be a notice at the entrance to the church," said Capak, adding:

"We will appeal to the church to ensure that the faithful monitor the implementation of the prescribed measures. As for the area in front of the church, the provision of a maximum of 25 people applies. In addition, it will contain recommendations members of the same household do not need to keep a distance. It is recommended to set up benches for believers from the same household and to have every other bench in use from the entrance to the altar."

Asked why catering facilities are not allowed to do the same, Capak said: "Because it is impossible. We persistently communicate that we are taking measures to reduce contacts so as not to ban certain activities that are necessary for economic and other reasons. This measure is related to respecting the wishes and needs of believers for spiritual peace and the need to celebrate the holiday. Religious celebrations are allowed with 25 people, but for Christmas Eve and Christmas we have allowed it to be with minimal epidemiological risk, so that believers can celebrate the holiday."

On the arrival of the vaccine in Croatia, Capak said: "We do not yet have any documents to know the exact quantities. The first symbolic delivery for all EU countries will be on December 26 and we will receive that quantity. We have Pfizer's promise to deliver the complete tranche by the end of the January. We will probably find out what the quantity will be at the beginning of next week."

More soon...

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Friday, 18 December 2020

Closures and Passes: December 18 New Croatian Measures - What You Need to Know

December 18, 2020 - As the battle to contain the pandemic continues, a guide to new Croatian measures announced today, effective from midnight on December 21 to January 10. 

Please note: this article was sent for - and received - approval from the Ministry of the Interior for its content.

The Croatian authorities have announced stricter measures from midnight on Monday in an effect to reduce the spread and infection of COVID-19, and the return of 'propusnice' (passes) is one of the notable additions to the current rules. However, as Police minister Božinović explained at the press conference today, the point of the measure is NOT to introduce the passes, rather, it's to drastically reduce travel within Croatia during the holiday period as much as possible. So, it's important to keep in mind that it will not be easy to get a propusnica during the next two and a half weeks.

We are getting lots of messages from foreigners, mostly through the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community about the details. Back in March, during the first lockdown, our Viber community did not exist and there was relatively little tourism. The situation is a little different at the moment, with tourists in the country, as well as many people looking to return to spend Christmas with their loved ones. 

This article is an attempt to add clarity on a confusing situation, and it will be updated as more concrete information. PLEASE BE AWARE that it is a guide for information purposes. In order to make your final travel plans, you are advised to receive official confirmation from the authorities. 

Please note that there are two slightly different dates in this announcement:

Midnight on December 21 to January 10 - a continuation of the current measures, which are set to expire on December 21.

Midnight on December 22 to January 8 - the introduction of restrictions for inter-county travel.

131915493_3860497347308025_5544344240412508957_n.png

Here are the key points and answers to some of the early questions. 

The new Croatian measures now require an official pass to cross a county border. Where can I find these county borders?

Croatia consists of 20 counties plus the city of Zagreb. See the map below for details. Travel within counties will still be unrestricted, but you will need a pass (propusnica) to cross a county border. These will be manned by the police.

Please note that Zagreb County and the City of Zagreb will be counted as one, so travel between the two will be unrestricted. 

zupanije.jpg

What criteria are necessary to get a propusnica?

In order to get a propusnica which will allow you to go to a different Croatian county, you will have to prove your reason for needing to do so, and they will be issued only in those cases when it can be shown that it's absolutely necessary for the person asking to get a pass to travel to a different county. Minister Božinović also explained that those who have already booked accommodation before the decision was announced will be given the passes to get to the location where they booked their stay. 

The list of reasons to get a propusnica, as presented in the document, is as follows: 

  • those required to maintain traffic and supply;
  • daily migrations of those working in: health and veterinary services, medicines delivery, maintenance of the communal activities (water, electricity, natural gas) and protection services;
  • public reporting;
  • patients requiring medical care;
  • travelling to work, in those cases when it is proven that work can not be done from home;
  • urgent and operative services required to stop the spread of COVID-19;
  • diplomatic staff;
  • those who have booked reservations in hotels.
  • if they consider that they have a "valid reason" and the previous reason is not stated in the exceptions for obtaining passes.

Where do I apply for a propusnica as a local resident?

 Croatian residents can apply for a propusnica through an online system called e-građani, or (if they don't have access to it) by contacting their county Civil Protection (Civilna zaštita) office.

Where do I apply for a propusnica as a foreign non-resident?

Upon entry in Croatia, the foreign travellers will be issued the passes at the border crossing of their entry, which will allow them to reach their destination. For any additional necessary travel within Croatia, the travellers will have to contact the Civil Protection office in the county where they are staying.  

For any further inquiries, koronavirus.hr shared the helpful contact information: 

Will hotel bookings be enough reason to obtain a propusnica?

Crossing county borders for just for the purposes of tourism will NOT be allowed, BUT passes will still be available to those who have booked accommodation in advance, for example in hotels, despite the earlier proposal that this should not be a valid reason for issuing passes. Upon arrival in the country, you will receive your propusnica to travel to your hotel. If you have accommodation booked and paid for in a second location, you will be allowed to travel, BUT you will have to get individual passes from the local civilian headquarters. If you have not booked and paid for the accommodation, my feeling is that this will be a lot more difficult.  Please note that this is a very fluid situation, and if you have booked hotels in several places, there is probably less guarantee. 

What will be open and what will be closed?

From what we know now, nothing will drastically change in terms of further closing of businesses in this period: the restaurants and the bars will stay closed, the hotels will stay open and will be allowed to make food only for those staying in the hotels. Museums, movie theatres and theatres will remain open under the same rules as in the previous period: with the reduced number of people and while maintaining social distances.

What about ferries, trains, buses - will they be running?

The Split - Ancona ferry is not running currently. For the latest on ferries, check the official Jadrolinija website

For the latest on the trains (Google Translate is your friend).

We are still seeking confirmation on the situation with buses, but would expect a reduced service. 

For the latest news from Croatian roads.

Restaurants are closed, but will takeaway still be possible?

Yes.

Will Croatia close its borders and is there any danger I may be trapped in Croatia and miss my flight home?

Even at the heights of the initial lockdown (which restricted movement between local communities, not counties as here), the borders remained open for repatriation - Croatians coming home and foreigners leaving Croatia. It will be the same this time, even if the border restrictions tighten further. 

For official answers, check the FAQ on the Ministry of the Interior website (it may take some time for the English version to reflect the updates). There is a form at the bottom where you can ask your questions in English, Croatian or German - they are pretty responsive. 

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Friday, 18 December 2020

HZ Cargo Seeks State Support, Croatian Government Approves 50 Million Kuna

December the 18th, 2020 - HZ Cargo sought urgent help from the Croatian Government recently as a result of the ongoing crisis, and the powers that be have responded by approving 50 million kuna in state aid to help smooth out virus-induced issues.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, on Thursday, the Croatian Government approved state aid to HZ Cargo in the generous amount of 50 million kuna, which is being implemented in the form of a loan with a repayment period of six months, with the regular interest rate of one percent per year implied.

The Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butkovic, explained at a recent government session in which the matter was discussed that HZ Cargo had contacted the competent Ministry with a request for emergency assistance, given that its liquidity had been significantly impaired as a result of the crisis and that because of that, it wouldn't be able to meet its business obligations in the coming period.

The state aid paid out to HZ Cargo, amounting to 50 million kuna, is intended for rehabilitation of the company and it obliges HZ Cargo to adopt the necessary measures of the crisis management plan, as well as a formal restructuring plan.

The state aid will be, as previously stated, implemented as a loan with a repayment period of six months with a regular interest rate of one percent per annum on top of it. The decision, as Butkovic said, is an act on the basis of which aid is granted, as set out in the Guidelines on State Aid for the Rehabilitation and Restructuring of Non-Financial Entrepreneurs in Difficulty.

HZ Cargo, the Minister pointed out, is already implementing measures for financial consolidation, business optimisation, and the measures implemented so far have significantly reduced operating costs for the company as a whole.

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Thursday, 17 December 2020

Health Minister: Scientific Council Agrees with New Restrictions, Passes Discussed

ZAGREB, Dec 17, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros said on Thursday the government's Scientific Council agreed with the introduction of new COVID-19 measures but would not say if travel passes would be one of them, although they were discussed at today's meeting.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, at which the new measures were presented to the Council, Beros said they were all agreed that the measures were necessary ahead of the coming holidays as well as that the "winter COVID wave is far more challenging both scientifically and clinically."

Asked if passes for travelling within the country were discussed, he said they were but would not say if they would be introduced because the new measures will be presented tomorrow.

He said that "if they are introduced, they will be on the county, not the municipal level," adding that bars and restaurants would stay closed.

Asked if private socialising would be restricted to two households, Beros said the goal was to prevent unnecessary socialising. "As all European countries, we too will consider it. We will call for that. However, no one will certainly enter homes to check."

"We will do everything for the initial vaccine doses to arrive in Croatia. However, vaccination will be a long process lasting more than six months," he said, adding that Croatia had a "comparatively enormous advantage" as an EU member state.

The minister said that at the moment it was impossible to foresee the vaccination pace, adding that he would consider general practitioners' suggestion to create a vaccination registration platform.

He went on to say that the meeting also discussed the effects of the restrictions in surrounding countries, the conclusion being that tougher restrictions were not necessarily more effective, "not just economically, on which there is no dilemma, but health-wise too." He said it was too early to draw concrete conclusions.

Researcher: 60%-75% of population must get vaccinated to curb epidemic

Scientific Council member Dragan Primorac said the meeting also discussed how to communicate with citizens about the need to get vaccinated.

"The right communication... is the only way we can convince people in countries where vaccination won't be mandatory... that it is a matter of everyone's responsibility," he said, adding that it concerned the protection of the entire population.

Primorac said 60% to 75% of the population must get vaccinated in order to curb the epidemic.

Asked if it was certain that Croatia would procure enough doses, he said the procurement of the COVID vaccine was a test of the EU's credibility because all member states were equal.

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Plenkovic Appeals to Public to Refrain from Large Gatherings During Holiday Season

ZAGREB, Dec 17,  2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Thursday appealed to the public to refrain from large social gatherings during the forthcoming holiday season in order to bring down the number of coronavirus infections.

"We can expect a decline in the number of infections only if we all give up on large social gatherings during the holidays. Let's keep our elderly ones and those of frail health safe. The virus certainly isn't the best Christmas gift to our loved ones," Plenkovic said at a cabinet meeting on Thursday morning.

He appealed to everyone, especially young people, to adhere to personal protection measures, not to plan any large social gatherings and to postpone their trips.

New measures to be announced tomorrow

Plenkovic said that new measures were being prepared and would be announced on Friday after consultations with the government's Scientific Council.

"The aim is to do all that can be done so that we can spend the holidays as safely as possible and prevent the situation from deteriorating further, given the current high numbers. For that purpose, it is necessary to further reduce mobility and keep social gatherings to a minimum so that we enter January with a much better situation," the prime minister said.

He said that the government had so far ordered 5.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from different manufacturers, adding that initial doses were expected in January, after approval by the European Medicines Agency.

Vaccination rollout plan to be adopted next week

Next week the government will adopt a vaccination plan setting out the dynamics and organisation of vaccination and priority groups. The most vulnerable groups will be vaccinated first, including elderly people, people of poor health, care home workers and front-line health workers.

Plenkovic once again stressed that vaccination would be free of charge and voluntary. "However, it will be effective only if a sufficient number of people get vaccinated, which is why a public awareness campaign will be conducted to remove any doubts."

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Croatia's Coronavirus Update: 3,918 New Cases, 85 Deaths, 3,790 Recoveries

ZAGREB, Dec 17, 2020 - In the last 24 hours, of 12,294 tests conducted for coronavirus, 3,918, that is 32%, have returned positive, and there have been 85 COVID-related fatalities bringing the death toll to 2,955, Croatia's COVID19 crisis management team reported on Thursday.

There are currently 22,445 active cases, of whom, 2,943 patients are receiving health treatment, including 287 patients placed on ventilators.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic in Croatia on 25 February, as many as 920,509 tests have been conducted, and 186,963 people have contracted the virus.

 So far, 161,563 people have recovered from this infection.

 A total of 55,777 people are self-isolating now.

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Draft of New Measures in Croatia: Reintroduction of Passes, Max Gathering of 2 Households

December 17, 2020 – As Index.hr first reports, a draft of new measures in Croatia has been prepared, according to which all current measures should be extended, with several new restrictive measures. The new measures will be officially announced tomorrow, announced Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

The Civil Protection Headquarters and the Government of the Republic of Croatia are currently working on the final details of the new, stricter measures that will be in force in Croatia after December 21, 2020. The draft of the new measures, which would be valid from Tuesday, December 22, includes the introduction of passes and a ban on gathering people from more than two households.

Reduction in the number of people at gatherings

New measures will prohibit leaving the place of permanent residence, which would mean the return of passes. Another restrictive measure, which, as Index reports, is a ban on gathering people from more than two households. This provision will certainly remain in the final decision on the measures, but it is not yet entirely sure in what form. Namely, there are proposals to limit gatherings to one household, but for now, it is a more likely option with two households.

The ban on cafes will remain in force, and restaurants will remain closed to guests. Cinemas and theaters will not close; neither will hairdressers and other salons. The headquarters believe that cinemas and theaters currently pose a minimal risk because they do not have many visits. Salons also remain open with the explanation that they do not pose a significant risk given the number of people in them at the same time, wearing masks and adhering to other measures.

Shops and shopping centers are regulated by another decision, which further limits the number of people inside. It is valid until January 10, and there will be no change.

An additional reduction in the number of people at gatherings is considered. However, in the ongoing conversations, the question was asked how much it makes sense because the numbers are still minimal. Gatherings take place in private spaces where the possibility of control is limited.

'The chances of introducing passes are about 70 percent'

The passes have already been included in the draft, and if there is no reversal today, this measure will also be in force after December 21, 2020. As Index learns from a reliable source, the movement restriction will apply between counties, and the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County will again be one unit, as was the case at the end of the lockdown in the first wave.

Due to the large number of passes issued in the first wave, more than a million of them, it is considered that inter-county movement should be allowed only to employees of services who need it and in rare exceptional cases.

It is also possible that a particular decision on passes, for this reason, will not be formalized immediately on Friday, but subsequently, during the weekend, when all the rules that will apply to passes would be defined.

"It will take us another six months to get all the vaccines and to vaccinate enough of the population. If we do not adhere to the measures, it is necessary to introduce formal restrictions, although there is no success in the measures without personal engagement. New measures are currently being prepared. The goal is to do everything to spend the holiday season in the most peaceful way possible. We are now fighting in terms of the clinical picture for a better January. It is necessary to reduce mobility," said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at today's government session.

Cafes and restaurants closed until further notice

"It seems to me that the chances of introducing a ban on leaving the permanent residence, or the introduction of passes, are about 70 percent at the moment. It is tragic that some people probably think that someone's goal is to make Christmas and the holidays bitter. Restricting movement is something we are reluctant to think about, but we expect it to reduce contact, which is extremely important to us this holiday season. Otherwise, there will be a tough situation after the holidays, despite some positive developments in recent days. Something must be done to prevent the spread of the infection for the holidays. Unfortunately, the introduction of such measures is necessary because of the small number of people who do not want to abide by the appeal and the simple measures we have to endure until the end of the epidemic, which is getting closer," a well-informed interlocutor told Index.

The new measures should be valid until January 8, 2021, when passes will be abolished. Still, most other measures would be extended for another two weeks to see what consequences the holiday gatherings will have on the numbers of newly infected and consequently dead.

According to the Index's information, among the measures that would be extended beyond January 8 is the ban on working in cafes and serving guests in restaurants until further notice.

"The infection cannot spread if we do not socialize and meet others, and we do not adhere to that enough. We must give our contribution. If that were the case, we could relax the measures," Plenković said.

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

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily

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