March 19, 2020 - The Split fish market will continue to operate during the corona crisis, but under slightly different rules from Thursday. 

Since the beginning of December last year, a decision was made that fish could no longer be sold in the outdoor area of the Split fish market and could only be sold indoors, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

In the meantime, the coronavirus pandemic appeared, forcing Split fish market sellers to come together to send an appeal to those responsible for the concessionaire.

On Wednesday morning, they appealed to the following: ‘We are asking the State Inspectorate, the City of Split, the concessionaire Hippos and all those responsible for permitting the sale of fish in the times of crisis, for the benefit and health of customers, sellers, workers of the Split fish market and all citizens of Split, to work outdoors, part-time!

To restore us to our original state, because we think that in this current indoor space, the density of people is high, and therefore the possibility of infection is much higher. We hope that you see the situation and will make the right decision.”

Karoglan, the director of the Hippos company, which is a concessionaire of Split's Pazar and fish market, was categorical on Wednesday morning, saying they would not be able to move outdoors.

On Wednesday night, the following announcement was shared:

“Dear Customers and Colleagues,

The Split fish market will work tomorrow according to standard working hours from 6 am to 13 pm, but according to slightly different rules…

1. The Split fish market has 3 entrances. As of tomorrow, there will be only one entrance for customers, the one by Marmontova. The entrance from the spa and the entrance from the market will be closed to customers.

2. The Split fish market will have a person at the door who will be responsible for the number of people in the fish market itself. 

Because the fish market is 400 square meters, it was decided that 80 people is the maximum number that can be found inside at any given moment, i.e., if there are 35 sellers at one time, a maximum of 45 buyers will be able to enter.”

They also asked everyone to comply with the rules.

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

March 19, 2020 - HNS has announced that the Croatian football league must be completed by June 28, 2020. 

When the Croatian League finally resumes is a question that has plagued fans of the Croatian football championship since the coronavirus halted the entire world of sports, including competitions in Croatia.

There are 10 more rounds left until the end of the season in the highest ranking of competitions in Croatia, with two more semi-finals and the Cup final to be played.

After UEFA postponed the European Championship on Tuesday and ordered clubs and national federations to finish all domestic championships by June 30, the Croatian Football Federation announced its decision the following day:

1. Playing all competitions under the jurisdiction of the Croatian Football Federation will be following the decisions of the National Civil Protection Staff of the Republic of Croatia and the recommendations of UEFA.

2. The competitions referred to in point 1 of this Decision shall end by 28 June 2020.

3. The HNS Working Bodies and Competition Commissioners shall be responsible for drafting a new schedule for the 2019/20 match year.

4. All other competition-related matters will be subject to the respective decisions of FIFA and UEFA.

Recall, the Croatia League is currently suspended until March 31, 2020, though with Croatia on lockdown until April 19, when it will begin again is still in question.

On March 12, HNS announced:

“In accordance with the recommendation of the Central State Office for Sport on the postponement of all international and national sports competitions at all levels, taking into account the recommendations of the Civil Protection Staff and the new situation in the Republic of Croatia, i.e., the increase in the number of infected, the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation and the competent authorities have decided to stop all football competitions in Croatia - men's, women's, futsal all HNS leagues, inter-county and county leagues, the Croatian Cup, or all matches of youth, seniors and veterans - until March 31, 2020.

For training, it is recommended to adhere to all the hygiene and safety instructions of the National Civil Protection Headquarters in order to be conducted in the safest possible conditions for the health of the athletes.

As before, HNS will closely monitor the development of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic and, as recommended by the public health institutions, determine new measures, taking into account, in particular, the health of football players, spectators and all other football actors. The football family and the public will be informed in due time of any further measures,” HNS announced on its website.

Before that, on March 11, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) adopted a new measure to protect spectators, clubs, players and competitions during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Taking into account the emerging circumstances regarding the epidemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, today the leading people of the HNS and the relevant bodies of the Federation have re-analyzed the current situation and decided that all matches in competitions under the jurisdiction of the HNS will be played without spectators until March 31.

The new measure applies to the HT First League, Croatian Cup, 2. HNL, 3. HNL, 1. HNLŽ, 2. HNLŽ, 1. HMNL, 2. HMNL and all youth leagues under the auspices of HNS, as well as the upcoming UEFA qualifying matches that take place in Croatia.

In these competitions, only teams with their staff, senior management and officials of clubs and HNS, technical staff and a certain number of media representatives will be able to attend the matches until further notice, with all the usual measures for organizing matches.

The HNS also recommends that all county associations take the same measure in competitions under their jurisdiction.

As before, the HNS will closely monitor the development of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic and, if necessary, determine other measures to which the football family and the public will be informed in due time. The decision shall enter into force immediately and shall be valid until March 31 or the end of the representative break. The Federation will make a timely decision to continue or discontinue this measure, taking into account developments, recommendations from public health institutions, and considering, above all, the health of spectators, football players and all other actors in football."

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

As Index writes on the 18th of March, 2020, during a press conference, the National Civil Protection Headquarters addressed the public and revealed new information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Beros revealed that six new cases have now been officially recorded in Croatia.

This morning it was announced that an older man who was in self-isolation has died in Istria. But it is not yet known if he died of coronavirus.

Also yesterday, Interior Minister Bozinovic announced that he would restrict the work of numerous shops and restaurants.

Health Minister Beros was the first to speak.

"Six new patients were detected by infectological treatment, now we have 87 [coronavirus] patients. Five were cured. 1181 were tested in total," Beros said.

Capak from the Croatian Institute for Public Health listed cities with recorded cases. Most coronavirus cases are in Zagreb, with a total of 41.

"In addition, another case has been registered in hospitals. We now have nine of them," said HZJZ chief Krunoslav Capak.

Bozinovic: Almost everything in Croatia is closing. Bozinovic said that Parliament passed the law needed to allow for the move.

"This National Headquarters has been given additional decision-making powers, which will then be implemented by all civil headquarters in Croatia," he said.

"The headquarters is preparing the decision, since the amendments to the Act come into force tomorrow 00:01. In this regard, I'd like to announce that we'll go forth with a whole set of measures based on the opinion of the professionals," he said.

This, he said, will be a stricter measure for social distancing.

"It's essential that each of us adheres to personal hygiene and distance measures. Indoors, the distance between persons should be two metres, and one metre outdoors. In order to make this a reality for everyone in Croatia, a decision is being prepared to cancel public events and gatherings, work will be discontinued for all non-essential services: including saunas, swimming pools, cinemas, clubs, theatres.

"Also, all hospitality/catering establishments will have their work discontinued, except for food preparation and delivery. All shops except those selling food and hygiene items will have their work discontinued. Petrol stations, bakeries etc, will continue operating..." he said.

The work of gyms, fitness centres, exhibitions, training, shows, fairs etc will all be ceased.

Religious gatherings are also being suspended, Bozinovic said.

"As far as employers are concerned, they're obliged to organise a way to work from home. They must cancel their meetings and business trips unless absolutely necessary. Those who have acute respiratory illnesses are prohibited from coming to work," Bozinovic said.

"Another decision is in the pipeline, banning movement across borders," Bozinovic said.

"All that is not necessary is being suspended," Bozinovic concluded.

"Our responsibility is to evaluate this situation day by day. This decision has been made to be put into place for thirty days, which doesn't mean that it cannot be extended or rescinded," Bozinovic said.

At midnight, the measure for halting COVID-19's spread in Croatia will officially enter into effect.

"The plan is for this to take effect at the first possible formal moment," Bozinovic said.

"There's no reason to now go on irrational stockpiling outings. Shops that are necessary will operate under the regime, and they will follow these instructions," the Interior Minister said.

"It starts at 00:01 tonight," he continued, adding that the question of public transport will be considered tomorrow.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for more on COVID-19 in Croatia.

ZAGREB, March 18, 2020 - The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) and Journalists' Union (SNH) on Wednesday released a joint press release saying that they regret that the government's measures to ease the consequences of the crisis in the wake of the coronarivus pandemic do not include reporters and the media.

HND and SNH recalled that after the economic crisis in 2008 the number of reporters in Croatia was halved and that they believed that being aware of that, the government will propose measures to protect reporters, who in the current difficult times are exposed to danger in order to serve the public and provide it with important information.

''We call on the Ministry of Culture to adopt measures for reporters and the media, primarily to introduce safeguards for financial breaks or payment deferment for publishers to make sure that they do not lay off full-time media employees or cancel contracts with external contractors, reduce wages for workers or restrict their other labour rights," the journalists said in the press release.

We do not see any such safeguards in the measures designed for reporters nor do the government's measures include our proposals for additional tax reliefs for freelance reporters or paid sick leave for part-time reporters if they contract COVID-19, the journalists say.

The associations underscore that they have requested that the process of allocation of grants secured through the European Social Fund and a call for applications for the remaining funding, in the amount of HRK 15 million, be accelerated.

The announcement that publishers who are beneficiaries of the Fund for Media Pluralism would receive payments is nothing new as that obligation had been agreed a long time ago and concerns regular payments to those who were granted the funding back in 2018, HND and SNH said.

"We consider that the government's measures have to include the media sector in order to save jobs for those people who in this crisis situation are having one of the most important roles in society," HND and SNH underlined.

Quality reporting is not possible without the presence of reporters in places where crises occur, which means that they have a greater risk of being exposed to the virus. That is why we call on the government to secure for all reporters, photo-reporters and technicians in the field protective equipment and speedy testing for the virus.

If a general quarantine is declared, we ask that we be given permits for free movement for all reporters who are out in the field and have a valid press pass, HND and SNH concluded.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

March the 18th, 2020 - Over the last several years, TCN has followed a little place called Tkon on the island of Pasman as the host and organiser of Croatia’s biggest and very unique trekking race, by now the world famous Skraping. We did it again this year, announcing the big thing, and then one week later we wrote again to inform you all that it had to be postponed thanks to coronavirus.

The news was bigger and more shocking as it was among the very first international events in Croatia that had to be either cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Anyway, to make the picture more precise, Tkon is a small municipality with less than 900 residents on the eastern part of the island of Pasman. Small it is, but relentless in its progress.

In the words of a friend who visited last summer: ''We were here eight years ago, it was an undeveloped little settlement without any identity, except for the ferry boat connection with the mainland. This year, we decided to spend a couple of days here, as Tkon has become a true little township, it's utterly clean, it boasts some beautiful beaches, it's well lit at night with some good catering services and bars which are open late, as well as shops and everything.''

The Municipal Civil Protection Committee is there, too. They have been invited to have their say on any occasion that could imply a wider impact on the community. They are young, energetic, they live there and they know the place well. 

The commander of the committee is 36-year-old Lovre Bojmic, who holds an M.A. in economics, is otherwise a jack of all trades and has heaps of energy. Here is what he told us in a telephone conversation interrupted by quite a few other callers: Just a few days after coronavirus began to take the world by storm, we locals noticed the summer houses were being opened and people, actually, the owners, mainly from Slovenia and some from other parts of Croatia, were settling in.

The reports from Slovenia weren't good at that time either and our residents felt disturbed and jeopardised. So, we got our heads together, developed a strategy of how to approach them without being rude or uncivilised, and started literally contacting one after another, essentially asking them to either show some document of health, state their previously visited places or to please just go home,''

What was their reaction?

We can't exercise any force, but we had to be careful and try to talk to them when we could as they wouldn't come out of the house, but we've managed to pass the message on that under these circumstances and without any control - they are not welcome. It sounds utterly stupid, I know, they're part of our community, it's their property, but they must understand what potential peril they might induce. We keep a link with the regional police station on duty and inform them of each case.

What could you do in case there's an infected person, there, on the island? 

Being aware of our geo-location, one of the first concrete moves was to adapt a municipality owned two-bedroom apartment into a possible quarantine for four persons. In the case of an epidemic, such a facility is necessary and we're happy we've got it.

How is the collaboration between the residents and the Municipality?

I can't praise everyone enough, from our Mayor and his staff, to our many volunteers, to our elderly neighbours who support us and have a trust in us, actually, to every living person in Tkon.

That's so nice to hear. How else do you operate?

We've managed to get essential protection gear for the committee and our volunteers. We have two teams with eight members each. Our laptop is the main source of information, we follow most closely what is happening elsewhere, with particular attention being paid to the instructions and orders from our authorities. The teams act according to the situation. Like today, both our teams completed personal house visits to our elderly residents for better instructions on how to protect themselves, but, more importantly, to assure them they're not supposed to leave their homes, and that our teams will do the shopping for them, pick up their medicines from the pharmacy and do anything else they might need us to do.

That is excellent. How do they accept the visits?

Our guys show up with some protection gear, like with masks, so the first reactions can differ. But as they leave, they notice a tear or two in someone’s eyes. Like in some other parts of Croatia, now the local cafes are closed as well.

Life in this small place has never been more quiet. How do you deal with it?

Just like we've been saying to every person we visit or see - this is because we're cautious, which doesn't mean we're fearful. Caution is so much better than fear, isn’t it? The best thing anyone can ever gain from a situation like this is an incredible sense of mutual confidence and solidarity, all setbacks aside.

We're inclined to believe that Tkon is just one of the many examples of such responsible and efficient engagement of practically everybody in a community. The authorities higher up issue instructions and orders, but if they are not implemented on the ground, they are of little use. Be like Tkon.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for rolling information on coronavirus in Croatia.

Croatia Travel Update - March 21 - Latest info.

March 18, 2020 - As the EU closes its external borders, a Croatia travel update on flights, ferries, trains, buses, borders and self-isolation. 

Things are changing very quickly as the coronavirus crisis escalates in Europe. A Croatia travel update on what is - and is not - open or running. 

Croatia Travel Update: Are the borders of Croatia open? 

This is the latest official information from HAK on the situation at the borders of Croatia. For the latest information (in English), check out the HAK website. 

At the border crossings with Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro traffic is suspended for all vehicles, except for the citizens of these countries as well as for freight vehicles.

At Cvetlin, Gornja Voća and Banfi border crossings all traffic is closed.

Due to additional controls at the border crossings with Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina there can be long delays in both passenger and freight traffic.

Traffic is closed at the following border crossings:

at Goričan border crossing, detour: Goričan junction-ŽC2026-DC3;

at Dvor and Vitaljina border crossings - open only to passenger traffic;

at Gunja border crossing - there is a traffic ban on freight vehicles and buses.

Due to traffic bans on freight vehicles in Slovenia long delays should be expected in freight traffic at Bregana/Obrežje and Macelj/Gruškovje border crossings starting 1 June.

Croatia Travel Update: Are the ferries in Croatia running normally?

Domestic ferries are running as normal. This is the latest update from HAK:

Split-Ancona international line does not operate till 1 April, Dubrovnik-Bari till 19 April 2020.

Other ferries operate regularly.

Till 1 June 2020 401 Zadar (Gaženica)-Ist-Olib-Silba-Premuda-Mali Lošinj ferry does not embark at Silba port due to roadworks.

As reported earlier on TCN, Jadrolinija is now requesting that passengers make their ticket purchases online or via their app. 

You can check the latest from Jadrolinija on their website.

Croatia Travel Update: What is the situation with train travel in Croatia?

The latest HAK update on the railways:

Due to repair work passengers are transported by buses so delays are possible on the following sections:

- between Dugo Selo and Križevci railway stations (on the rail state border-Botovo-Dugo Selo)

- between Zaprešić and Zabok railway stations (on the rail Zaprešić-Čakovec)

- between Sunja and Sisak Caprag railway stations (on the rail Zagreb-Sisak-Novska)

- between Ogulin and Moravice railway stations (on the rail Zagreb-Rijeka).

International railway traffic:

Railway traffic is suspended towards Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Serbia and Hungary.

Croatia Travel Update: What is the situation with flights to Croatia?

The closing of the EU external borders took effect today, a measure that will last for 30 days. As such, all international flights outside EU borders have now been cancelled. There are still flights to Zagreb within EU borders, and so there is not a total flight ban, as ExYuAviation noted yesterday:

The EU travel will only partially affect Croatia. Under the plan, only visitors from non-EU states will not be allowed to enter the region unless they are long-term residents of the EU, family members of EU nationals, diplomats, cross-border commuters, or essential workers like doctors, nurses, and researchers. The majority of Croatia Airlines’ network is concentrated within the EU, however, plummeting demand and various national restrictions will see the carrier cancel at least nine return flights today, among which are services to cities outside of the block such as Sarajevo and Skopje. Furthermore, flights from Zagreb to Copenhagen, Vienna and Munich have also been cancelled so far today. Despite the new circumstances, Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways will operate their flights to the Croatian capital today.

You can see the latest departure information from Zagreb Airport here. Internal flights within Croatia remain available. 

We have had a LOT of emails asking what will happen with flight cancellations, and will things be ok in May, June and beyond. Obviously, we have no idea how things will develop. With the 30-day international ban, most flights are already cancelled. WE hope the situation will improve, but recommend you check with your individual airline, who will be better informed than us. If there are any major announcements, we will publish them on TCN. 

Croatia Travel Update: Are buses running in Croatia?

Yes they are, but at reduced capacity in many cases. I don't have a good resource for national information (if anyone does, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will add). One of the biggest operators, Croatia Bus, stopped all routes temporarily due to COVID-19 (source Zagreb Bus Station Facebook page).

Zagreb Bus Station has published a number to call - 072 500 400 - to check if your bus is running. 

In other more localised bus news by TCN, there is free local bus travel in Dubrovnik, and here is a recent update from Split bus station. 

Croatia Travel Update: What are the self-isolation rules for people arriving, who do they apply to, and what is the procedure?

There has been a lot of confusion about the mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirements, what they entail and how they are enforced, as well as who they apply to.  I am very grateful to Lauren Simmonds for this excellent overview, having contacted and worked through various sources of conflicting information. Check out Lauren's guide to self-isolation in Croatia here. 

The Croatian Government has launched a new information website to coordinate all information about coronavirus in Croatia, called Koronavirus.hr. This includes a page (in Croatian - Google Translate is your friend) called Going on a Trip? 

If you have any reliable information to improve the resource above, please contact me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will update if relevant. 

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

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 18th of March, 2020, Pevex (formerly Pevec) is attempting to keep its stores open despite the coronavirus outbreak wreaking havoc with the economy, and it has secured six months' worth of salaries for its employees.

The Pevex retail chain reported on Wednesday that it wouldn't lay off employees even if individual stores were forced to close due to the spread of COVID-19.

"Pevex will not lay off its employees, even if a particular store closes due to the virus. We've secured a net wage payment for our workers for six months and we're currently focused on further strengthening measures to reduce social contact with the now-strengthened hygiene protocols at all high-risk locations,'' a statement from Pevex, signed by CEO Jurica Lovrincevic, stated.

It has also been noted that the range that Pevex sells in its retail stores is absolutely vital to the Croatian construction sector. This, they point out, is especially true for small businesses and craftspeople for whom the company wants and needs to enable a smooth continuation of operations. Pevex also stated that they are currently cooperating with over 83,000 legal entities.

They also added that "we must not be fooled by the thought that the state will be able to respond to the number of requirements that would allow for economic recovery."

They also note that Germany has recognised all of the above and the damage closures and disruptions would cause to their own domestic economy and beyond, and has as such excluded centres for the sale of building materials and other, similar supplies from the work ban, in addition to self-service shops, pharmacies, beverage stores, drugstores and pet shops.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for rolling information in English on coronavirus in Croatia. Follow our business page for more on Croatian companies, products and services.

ZAGREB, March 18, 2020 - The Forum 2020 platform, which brings together civil society groups, warned on Wednesday about the insufficient solidarity of EU countries amid the coronavirus pandemic, calling on Croatia, as the current EU chair, to convene the European Council to define a joint response to the current crisis.

Expressing concern about the first reactions to the strengthening of the epidemic on European territory, notably by EU member-countries, the platform said that they ignored the pandemic that could only be countered with international solidarity and not nationally.

Forum 2020 said messages which testify to insufficient solidarity with others who are affected undermine international solidarity which is necessary to stop the pandemic.

"This is especially evidenced by a high degree of caution regarding the distribution and production of medical equipment," said the platform.

It noted that it supported EU institutions and member-states' efforts made so far but that it was necessary to enhance activities taken so far and strengthen policies of international solidarity in order to overcome the crisis as soon as possible.

Forum 2020 asked Croatia as the current EU chair to call an extraordinary session of the European Council at which leaders would make decisions enabling the EU to do its best to protect its citizens from infection.

It proposes the allocation of additional funds for the public health system as well as that the European Council urge the private sector with high capital reserves to contribute with donations to public financial funds that are being set up to alleviate the negative socioeconomic consequences of the crisis.

It also believes that all available medical and protective equipment made in the EU should be gathered and that agreement should be reached that member-countries have the right to keep 90% of the equipment while 10% would be used for emergency interventions in European and global hot spots.

Forum 2020 also seeks from the EU financial support for the solidarity fund recently set up by the World Health Organisation, for the long-term strengthening of the civil protection system and for solidarity with refugees, as well as for solidarity with the global south and developing countries.

Without clear commitment to resolving the crisis through global partnership, the number of human lives lost will be much higher, the platform said.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, March 18, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Wednesday presented a package of measures in parliament worth over HRK 30 billion to help the economy and called for the nation's solidarity and unity during the coronavirus pandemic.

"This is a circumstance which calls for responsibility and solidarity, a circumstance in which it is time for the nation's unity," he said. We can only win the war against coronavirus if we are united, he added.

If we are not united, we'll have bigger problems and greater damage, the prime minister said.

He expects economic entities and employers to understand the moment the country is in and to recognise job preservation as a common objective.

"Only if we are all solidary as a society will we overcome this crisis better. It's important that we share the burden equally and with solidarity," Plenković said, thanking MPs for agreeing to a fast track debate and vote on the government's aid package for the economy consisting of 63 measures in 19 bills.

Presenting the measures from the aid package, the prime minister said that in the "big fight for health," the fight for each job must not be forgotten.

Measures for a three-month deferral of tax payments worth HRK 12 billion, HRK 5 billion to employers who do not lay off workers for the payment of net salaries, the deferral of loan payments to banks and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction ad Development totals HRK 17 billion, and sector measures total HRK 1 billion.

At this moment we don't know how much will be needed for new loans, Plenkovic said, calling on parliamentary parties to reach the highest consensus possible. He pledged that the government will continue to act transparently and brief parliament and the public about developments.

This package of measures may be the most complete one in any EU member state, he said.

Croatia plans to continue throughout the crisis, with full responsibility and protection of national interests, its role as chair of the Council of the EU and as a country which has responded to the crisis much better and faster, Plenković said.

The prime minister said he was satisfied with how Croatia was dealing with the coronavirus epidemic. "Croatia has recognised this threat in time and met it prepared."

The situation is under control, with a moderate number of those infected, 81 as of this morning, he said, adding that in order to keep the situation in check as much as possible, more drastic measures had to be imposed.

At the recommendation of epidemiologists and the national civil protection authority, we have prepared measures to restrict gatherings and social contacts as much as possible, the prime minister said.

He informed MPs that the European Council met on Tuesday and discussed measures against the coronavirus pandemic. There is European solidarity, notably with those who have suffered great losses, he said, adding that he also talked with budget commissioner Johannes Hahn.

The Commission has allowed Croatia to utilise €174 million for faster contracting of projects co-funded by the EU, Plenković said.

Finance Minister Zdravko Marić said liquidity and jobs came first at the moment.

It's important that these measures have an impact as soon as possible and additional ones will certainly be needed, he said. "We are aware of the high pace of the crisis and all the implications for the economy."

In creating the measures to help the economy, the government cooperated with the central bank, so there is monetary and fiscal policy synergy as well as cooperation with the social partners.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

Several popular Zagreb hotels are now shutting their doors, with one of them remaining open, but how long that will last is unknown.

Hotels are putting the keys in the locks of their respective doors across the country. Zagreb, the capital city of the country presiding over the EU Council which was counting on big revenue from the numerous official EU meetings which were set to take place in its hotels - is closing their doors.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 18th of March, 2020, as of today, the Zagreb hotels Sheraton, Panorama, International and Jadran are closing their doors, so far, only Westin remains in operatation.

Certain workers who are working on fixed-term contracts will not see their employment contracts extended, others will go on annual holiday from now until April the 20th, 2020, and if the situation persists, unfortunate workers will be informed of further proceedings as the coronavirus situation unfolds.

Like others, until just a few weeks ago, HUP Zagreb was actively looking for employees for its Zagreb hotels, which were due to experience excellent revenue as a result of Croatia's EU Presidency. As has since been learned, the situation was being treated as normal until around the March, when the number of guests started to decrease, having been reduced to just a few here and there over the last, crucial week.

As the coronavirus situation continues to hold the global economy in its tight grip, Zagreb hotel employees sadly don't know what will happen after their annual holiday expires if the hotels do not reopen their doors by then.

It is not known until when Westin will continue to operate normally, which, according to unofficial information, could soon become Zagreb's only hotel to have remained open. Namely, as was announced yesterday, new measures are planned to be adopted in Parliament today to try to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, which should include the closure of restaurants and hotels.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for more on coronavirus in Croatia.