March 15, 2020 - All catering objects in the municipality of Primosten are forbidden to continue work, all to effectively implement measures for protecting citizens' health during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Mayor of Primosten Stipe Petrina has decided to close down all the catering facilities in his municipality to prevent any citizens from contracting the coronavirus.

Although there are no cases of the coronavirus in Dalmatia yet, meaning there are none in Primosten, Petrina is guided by the principle of prevention rather than treatment, and has made the following decision, which is fully transmitted in English below:

“Article 1.

Due to the risk of the spread of the coronavirus in the territory of the Municipality of Primosten and in general because of the threat to the health of the population of the Republic of Croatia, all catering establishments (cafes, etc.) located in the territory of the Municipality of Primosten are prohibited from working indoors (business premises) and outdoors (terraces - public area), all to effectively implement citizen health protection measures.

Article 2

The urgent implementation of this Decision is required.

Article 3

The municipality of Primosten will regulate the mutual relations with legal and natural persons regarding the lease of public land.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption and shall be valid from 15 March 2020 until revocation, and shall be published on the web pages of the Municipality of Primosten and the notice board and shall be notified to the media, (portals, etc.).

On Friday, Petrina was one of the first to respond to the further spread of contagion in Croatia, and suspended the work of municipal administration and local public businesses."

This news comes after Istria decided to close all cafes and restaurants in the region for one month starting 15 March 2020. Many other Croatian cities and counties are taking preventative measures, like Karlovac County, which announced that cafes can only work until 6 am to 6 pm. Bjelovar-Bilogora County has postponed all gatherings until further notice, and Rijeka will not implement the European Capital of Culture program, to name a few. 

Source: T.portal

For those looking for more comprehensive information about different aspects of coronavirus and Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

March 15, 2020 - There is no doubt that rough times are ahead in the coming weeks, but spare a thought for the longer terms - 10 things which await you in Croatia after Corona.

Being a tourism blogger in these uncertain times is about as useful to man as being a cocktail meister in Jeddah and - like many other people whose worlds have been turned upside down by the coronavirus - I am learning to adapt to new realities. At a time when we would normally be writing lots of articles about upcoming events and reasons to visit Croatia, the focus sadly is more on flight cancellations and postponed festivals. There is no hiding from the fact that the coming weeks will be difficult, but the good news is that this will not go on forever, and while your holiday to Croatia may be delayed, Croatia will still be there when all this is over. So, in an attempt to inject a little cheer into the current gloomy mood, here is a reminder of ten things which await you in Croatia after Corona:

1. Beaches

With almost 1,800 km of coastline and over 1,000 islands, it is perhaps no surprise that beach holidays are the main attraction in Croatia. With so many to choose from, you can really pick your spot, from busy beaches in crowded resorts to hidden coves off the beaten path. With the inviting Adriatic offering instant refreshment, close your eyes for a moment and imagine what life will be like on holiday when all this is over. Take a tour of some of the beach hot spots of Croatia in the Total Croatia Beach Guide. 

2. Sunshine

(Photo by Hvar Tours)

Don't underestimate the power of the sun. Self-isolation, staying at home rather than that planned holiday. The legendary Adriatic sun will feel all the warmer on the skin when you finally arrive. And there are few sunnier places than Croatia, which includes the sunniest European island of them all, Hvar. And if you are looking for a late-season getaway, do research the temperatures, both sea and air, of Dubrovnik and southern Dalmatia in September and October. 

3. Lifestyle

Is there a better and more relaxed lifestyle in all Europe? 

4. Food

The late and legendary Anthony Bourdain discovered Croatia's 'world-class food, world-class wine, world-class cheese' in 2011. And after a few weeks living off tinned vegetables in self-isolation, don't you think you deserve the same? Croatia doesn't have a national cuisine of sorts, but rather some outstanding and distinctive regional cuisines from places such as Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia. The menus vary from season to season, as the emphasis is on fresh, local produce. Food as it should be.  And Croatians love to celebrate their food at every occasion. Why not get yourself in the mood by checking out these 25 natural food festivals in Croatia?

5. Wine

Croatia is one of the great undiscovered wine regions of Europe. It is here that the original Zinfandel comes from (from the vineyards of Kastela, near Split), and wine experts are raving about the diversity of Croatia's 130 indigenous varieties. Most of the winemakers are small producers with their own styles and stories, which only adds to the uniqueness of the tasting experience. 

6. Heritage

Visitors to Croatia are often surprised by the country's history and heritage. The country boasts no less than 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and numerous intangible UNESCO heritages (check out the full list here), including a retirement home for a Roman Emperor in Split, Diocletian's Palace. Its historic stone towns have survived many wars and plagues over the centuries, and they will be there to welcome you once all this is over. 

7. Adventure

(Photo And Advenure/Mario Romulic)

After a few weeks of restrictions, it is only natural that people will want to let their hair down a little. And what better place than the Great Outdoors of Croatia? Sailing, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, ziplining, white-water rafting, and a whole host of other activities await in one of the most picturesque adventure playgrounds in Europe. 

8. Nature

(National Park Krka/Romulic & Stojcic)

Crises come and crises go, but there is no substitute for an escape to nature. And Croatia is blessed with more natural beauty than most. Did you know that 10% of the country is given over to its 8 national and 11 nature parks. Want to see what true beauty is here in Croatia after Corona? Take a video tour of all 19, one by one in the Total Croatia Guide to that National and Nature Parks. 

9. Safety 

Croatia is easily the safest country I have lived in (out of 10 so far), and the sense of community and relative lack of crime is one of the unbeatable contributing factors to making it such a great place to bring up young children. It also contributes to that famous chilled lifestyle, which is yours to enjoy. Just come when you are ready. 

10. Warm hospitality

But what would all this be without a warm welcome? Croatians are known for their hospitality, and many tourists leave with unforgettable memories of the welcome they received. I suspect that welcome will be all the warmer later this year in Croatia after Corona. 

We all have a difficult period ahead of us, but let's not lose sight of how life can be when things return to normal. 

Croatia will be waiting for you. 

And it will be a magical experience. 

March 14, 2020 - With the coronavirus disrupting tourism all over the world, perhaps it is time to postpone plans a little and spend some time researching destinations for a visit later in the year. Some virtual tips to discover Zagreb.  

There is no hiding the fact that the world has changed in the last week, and that more change is on the way, as countries respond to the coronavirus threat by locking down. As with many other people, I feel a little lost in the new reality and am struggling to come to terms with the best way to proceed. Suffice to say that being a tourism blogger is perhaps not the most in-demand thing in the world right now. 

And yet...

As the season should be beginning and positive texts about the incredible things to see and do from now until the end of the summer would usually be appearing on portals such as TCN, I don't think many would disagree that promoting travel to Croatia or anywhere else at the moment, is perhaps not the wisest or most responsible course of action. 

But does that mean we should not talk about tourism promotion at all then? Not at all! In fact, in some strange way, perhaps the current situation will provide a better and more informed tourism experience in the future. With so many people now self-isolating and with perhaps a little more time on their hands as they get frustrated with the isolation, thoughts will inevitably turn to that well-deserved holiday when this whole crisis is over. 

So why not spend the time alone getting to know the destination you plan to visit a little better than perhaps you otherwise might have done? Rather than reading the guidebook on the plane on the way there, why not take a closer look at all the options available to you online, from the comfort of your self-isolation sofa. 

Why not discover Zagreb, for example? Here are ten great virtual resources to discover Zagreb. Check them out, get inspired, and we will see you in the Croatian capital on the other side... 

1. Around Zagreb Video Series

 Zagreb is much more than just a city. Zagreb County offers some outstanding day trips. Learn more in the Zagreb Tourist Board's video series, Around Zagreb. 

2. Zagreb Shortcuts

Get to know the city through its people, habits and traditions. Zagreb blogger Andrea Pisac produces a very local insight to the city through the tourist board's Zagreb Shortcuts series. Check it out above.  

3. Zagreb Trivia

 Want to impress your travelling companions on your local knowledge, or surprise your host with how much you know about the city? The tourist board's Zagreb Trivia video series is a real treasure trove of fabulous stories and useful information. 

4. Love Zagreb

Several years ago, the Zagreb Tourist Board launched a project called Love Zagreb, Stories Created by Locals. Photos, blogs, vlogs and more. Love Zagreb has been a popular addition to building a more rounded picture of the city - check it out for yourself.  

5. 360° Zagreb Panorama

Nothing beats a great photo, of course, or the chance to get 360-degree visuals of the top places of a destination.  360 Zagreb offers some of the very best views, from angles most tourists never get to experience. Check them out here.

6. Zagreb Apps, Apps, Apps

We live in the world of mobile apps, and a popular way to discover Zagreb is via the various phone applications which are on offer. Choose from:

Zagreb Be There - Want an insider to show you around Zagreb? This free iOS and Android app takes you to the coolest places in the city. Sightseeing with character.

VoiceGuide Zagreb - When you come to an area with tourist attractions, the application will start automatically so that you get the information about the sights near you. It will first give you the information about the area you are in and then about some sights that can be seen there.

Greetings from Zagreb - Time travel with old postcards of Zagreb. Check out how it looked then and how it looks now.

Find all the apps to discover Zagreb, and download them here. 

7. Research one of Europe's most exciting medical tourism destinations for that procedure later this year

And having researched a little and discovered what a wonderful city Zagreb is, why not combine the tourist experience with some practical stuff which will pay for the holiday AND give you some spending money? Zagreb has an excellent reputation for medical tourism, from dentistry and cosmetic surgery, to pharmacogenetic testing and stem cell therapy, and much more. Check out what is on offer in the official video above and the detailed TCN feature recently on medical tourism in Zagreb.

8. It should be over by Christmas...  

Nobody knows how long the current situation will continue, but let's hope it will be over by Christmas... One of the great things about Zagreb is that it is a year-round destination, with some pretty cool events happening all year. And if you haven't discovered Advent in Zagreb yet, come and visit and find out why it has become established as one of the best Christmas markets in the world.  

9. Light at the end of the tunnel 

One of the early casualties of the current crisis was the postponement of the popular Festival of Lights in Zagreb, as authorities commendable decided to delay the event until the situation improved. There is no fixed date at the moment, as it will depend on how things progress, but good to know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. 

10. A rather impressive website to delve a little deeper

Keen to know more to prepare yourself to discover Zagreb? Take a tour of the very comprehensive Zagreb Tourist Board website. 

Be safe, research online, and see you in Zagreb later in the year!

ZAGREB, March 14, 2020 - The opposition Živi Zid party, prompted by the coronavirus epidemic, on Saturday urged the government to temporarily suspend Croatia's bid to join the euro zone in order to preserve the country's monetary independence.

"Economic activity has already fallen in all sectors, particularly in tourism, and this will affect the entire country which is highly dependent on tourism," the party's leader Ivan Vilibor Sinčić told reporters outside the government offices.

Sinčić said he expected the crisis to develop into a recession in the autumn.

He said that the measures proposed by Finance Minister Zdravko Marić concerning income and profit taxes and contributions would not be enough.

He called for a return to a sovereign monetary policy, suggesting that the central bank "print a certain amount of fresh money" and inject it into the economy. He also called for use of foreign currency reserves and of primary money issue.

Sinčić also stressed the importance of ensuring food sovereignty, proposing setting up a national authority for food supply to plan food supply and production by focusing on domestic producers and family farms.

Tihomir Lukanić said that such authority should comprise the leaders of all parliamentary parties to reach a national consensus on a food policy and the national economy because Croatia is highly exposed to food imports.

Damjan Vučelić warned that Croatia's entry into the ERM II mechanism would tie the hands of the government and the central bank in fighting the coronavirus crisis.

More Živi Zid news can be found in the Politics section.

As Index writes on the 14th of March, 2020, the Civil Protection Headquarters in Istria held a press conference in Pula about the ongoing situation with coronavirus in Istria.

The headquarters said police and sanitary inspections are checking that citizens are properly complying with self-isolation instructions and are imposing penalties on those individuals if they fail to comply.

Coronavirus in Istria will see cafes and restaurants close their doors to the public for one month.

Chief of Staff Dino Kozlevac said that new measures will be come into force tomorrow, meaning they will be fully effective from March the 15th, 2020, and that shopping centres must also make sure to adhere to the instructions that have been issued.

They must control how many people enter the centres at one, and lines must be drawn up at the cash registers to indicate how far people have to keep away from each other.

The centres will be allowed to operate until 18:00 only, as will grocery stores, petrol stations and smaller shops operating within petrol stations.

All hospitality facilities will be closed until April the 14th, 2020. Hairdressers and similar places will also need to cease to operate until April the 14th, 2020.

Food delivery services and soup kitchens may be allowed to continue their operations.

At the end of the press conference, they said that they weren't prepared to just wait for the situation to become worse and that they want to tey to prevent the situation from worsening beforehand.

Kozlovec said about 1,000 people in Istria County are under self-isolation measures and that some of them aren't respecting self-isolation and have just been walking around as normal, so the police have started going out and controlling them.

Make sure to follow our dedicated page for more on coronavirus in Istria and Croatia.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 14th of March, 2020, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic recently held a Croatian Government meeting on the activities being undertaken to combat the current coronavirus epidemic in Croatia.

"In principle, I think there's satisfaction with the way Croatia is trying to solve these problems," Plenkovic said after the meeting, N1 reports.

He added that the opposition's proposals and comments were largely in the wake of what the Croatian Government was already doing.

''Each of the ministers talks to the groups for which he is responsible, from trade, transport, tourism. Next week, we will come out with a package of measures, and some of them will require legal changes, which will be put into an urgent procedure,'' Plenkovic said, adding that he had a number of measures and would later announce when they would come into force.

"The departments are working all weekend, and will work on Monday. We want the Croatian Government to take concrete measures,'' Plenkovic said.

Journalists asked the Prime Minister how concerned he was about the economic situation the country is now facing owing to the coronavirus outbreak.

"Croatia is facing this crisis in a situation of consolidated public finances. It comes at a time when you have a government that can responsibly manage public finances, we have a balanced budget. We'll take measures to reduce the effects of this crisis,'' Plenkovic said.

"This is a situation that requires serious measures at a personal level and at the level of measures we're taking as a government," he added.

Asked if schools was closed due to public pressure, Plenkovic said that pressure wasn't the reason for the Croatian Government decision on school closures, but that in the case of Istria, where many people go over to work in nearby Italy, safety steps needed to be taken.

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

March 14, 2020 - Experts say that panic surrounding coronavirus can be more dangerous than the virus itself. Amid news of panic Croatian supermarket buying, TCN visits supermarkets in Split to see the realities on the ground.  

After Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced that schools would close for two weeks from Monday and that citizens should strictly follow the measures in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Croatians kicked into self-isolation gear all over the country.

With this comes the obvious hysteria, which resulted in stories of panic buying around the country. While Croatia didn’t exactly follow the route of Australia, where toilet paper became nearly impossible to find, it was interesting to see how Croatian shoppers chose to prepare for a few weeks in solitude.

After we had a look into how the citizens of Varazdin equipped themselves on Friday, I thought I’d set out for my big shop on Saturday to my neighborhood supermarkets in the Firule area of Split. 

I began at Tommy up the street, primarily to stock up on cat food for my furry friends at home. 

There had been speculation that the meat shelves would run dry this weekend, and based on this Tommy supermarket, it was true.

Toilet paper, however, was fully stocked. 

In the United States, pasta shelves emptied quickly. The selection of Barilla was only a bit thinner than usual at this Split Tommy.

Frozen goods also took a small hit, with fish products the most popular items missing.

Tommy had a sign at the register asking all customers to stand one meter apart.

Next up was DM, where toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues were mostly lacking.

And you'd be lucky to find soap and antibacterial sanitizer near the checkout.

Spar was my final stop, where clerks actively resupplied the aisles with food items.

Red apples and lemons were on the low side, however.

But toilet paper was on sale!

And there was still plenty available.

Some bottled water and milk brands could use a refill.

So, how was my self-isolation shopping Saturday in Split? Fortunately, I was able to acquire everything I needed, and shoppers out and about didn't seem panicked, nor did they buy in bulk. It was no busier than a typical Saturday morning shop in the Dalmatian capital.

What have you had trouble finding in Split? Send over your self-isolation shopping photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

Konzum, Croatia's largest retail chain, has stated that its stores and warehouses are adequately equipped, and enhanced hygiene and sanitation measures are being implemented in all shops, warehouses and administration buildings.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 13th of March, 2020, all of Konzum's warehouses and stores are well-equipped and supplies are stepping up, especially when it comes to groceries and products that customers are seeking the most during these circumstances, Konzum reports.

In this way, Konzum claims that it is fully prepared for increased demand across all of its stores and is taking all measures to respond to any future increase in demand.

"As we expect a further increase in purchases, we've stepped up to the mark and will continue to increase our product inventory. Our staff regularly will make sure the shelves are full and display the products, but we'd like to ask our customers for understanding and patience if some products aren't on the shelves at some point or another - this is only because we aren't getting them out onto the shelves quickly enough.

We focus on food and products that are currently in greatest demand, and some of them are additionally exhibited in store corridors, to make them even more accessible to customers. We're taking all possible measures so that our customers can procure whatever they consider necessary at the moment,'' stated Slavko Ledic, CEO of Konzum.

Konzum's supply chain in Croatia and abroad remains functional

Konzum's supply chain is also functioning well in these moments of growth of demand and all warehouses are well equipped, with additional increases. When it comes to delivering goods from areas such as Italy, Konzum has introduced additional controls on the process of importing goods and continues to follow the recommendations of the competent institutions. In the case of delivery restrictions from one or more countries, there are sufficient supplies of products to be able to continue to operate smoothly.

"In order to provide customers with the necessary supplies in the event of restrictions or interruptions in delivery from vulnerable countries, we're constantly looking for alternative sources of supply. We're placing the greatest emphasis on cooperation with Croatian suppliers, which has been a strategic priority in our operations from the very beginning, as well as in this current situation,'' said Slavko Ledic, CEO of Konzum. Croatian products account for more than 75 percent of Konzum's overall traffic, and in some fresh categories such as fruits and vegetables, meat, fish and bakery products, that figure rises to more than 80 percent.

Konzum has enhanced its safeguards to protect both customers and employees

In all Konzum shops, warehouses and in the administrative building, all preventive protection measures have been taken in accordance with the recommendations of the competent institutions. Thus, in addition to regular hygiene and safety procedures, enhanced hygiene and sanitation measures are being implemented in the supply chain, in shops and offices, as well as the regular disinfection of cash registers, equipment and POS devices.

In order to further protect the safety of both customers and employees, an operational crisis management team has been set up, whose members are available at any time of the day and in a very short time if needed. Procedures and instructions have been prepared for dealing with various possible coronavirus-related scenarios for employees across all stores, warehouses and office buildings.

"Consumers are at the forefront of the safety and health of customers and employees, and therefore we've introduced additional preventative measures to ensure that our customers can safely and seamlessly make their purchases. We'll continue to monitor the situation to respond appropriately should new circumstances arise that would require additional action,'' noted Ledic.

Online shopping

Online shopping is experiencing a huge increase in orders, and Konzum is taking every step possible to simplify the purchase and delivery process for customers and employees and to open as many delivery times as possible.

An additional update was made on Konzum's website to make the whole system function even under greater pressure. The focus is on the products most sought after by customers, but all major product categories are still covered. However, due to the increased number of orders, the Pickup service is not yet available, and the estimated delivery time currently stands at seven days. A number of new Delivery and Drive terms open every day, and Konzum would like to thank all of its customers for their understanding and continued patience.

Konzum has closed its comments by stating that it is constantly monitoring the further development of the situation as a company and it is ready to take additional measures in line with new information as and when needed.

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

As Morski writes on the 13th of March, 2020, the beautiful NP Krka has issued a statement to the general public stating that preventive measures are being taken to protect the health of visitors and that relevant information and guidelines are continually being monitored, on the basis of which further action will be taken if needed.

After the information on persons in the Republic of Croatia with whom the coronavirus has been confirmed became available to the public, NP Krka, a Croatian national park visited by countless people annually, undertook all necessary actions and activities possible in order to protect the health of visitors, employees, partners and associates.

All measures and procedures taken by NP Krka are in full accordance with the current recommendations and instructions of the Ministry of Health, the Croatian Institute of Public Health and the Civil Protection Staff of the park's ''home'' county - Sibenik-Knin.

Events due to have taken place/due to take place during March and early April at NP Krka have been delayed...

The events that were to take place at NP Krka in March and during early April have been postponed. This regards activities related to the celebration of World Water Day, due to fall on March the 22nd, and the holding of the third Krka Half Marathon, scheduled for April the 4th, which is usually attended by a large number of participants and visitors. The participation of the employees of NP Krka at tourist fairs in the Republic of Croatia and in foreign countries have also been cancelled.

The beloved national park remains open to visitors

Despite the current coronavirus situation, NP Krka remains open to visitors in accordance with the recommendations of the expert services. The Skradinski Buk and Roski Slap (Waterfall) locations with all of their associated presentation facilities can be visited daily from 09:00 to 17:00, as is customary for this time of year.

''We're also taking all necessary measures and we're doing everything in our power to protect not only visitors but also our employees, partners and associates during the regular activities of NP Krka. If there are any changes related to the work of the National Park, visitors will be informed in due time on NP Krka's website.

Finally, we'd like to emphasise that with responsible behaviour, acting in accordance with instructions and implementing preventive measures, we're protecting our own and others' health as well,'' read a statement from NP Krka.

Make sure to follow our dedicated page for all you need to know about coronavirus in Croatia.

Croatian Finance Minister Maric has issued a message to Croatian panic buyers, and a similar message comes from Podravka which urges people to calm down.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has sent people into somewhat of a meltdown, despite the numerous explanations and warnings from highly cited scientists such as Igor Rudan (which you can read here and here), that there is absolutely no need to panic. While these warnings go ignored by a significant number of people, shelves in certain shops are quickly running out of produce to fill them

Hand sanitiser and toilet paper seem to be high on the list of Croatia's numerous panic buyers concerned about the possibility of self-isolation and running out of said items.

''If any shelf ends up empty, we've got enough [products] to fill it back up again,'' stated Finance Minister Zdravko Maric in a message sent out to residents of the Republic of Croatia during a recent news conference, as Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 13th of March, 2020.

"As far as the supply chain is concerned, there's enough of everything. Manufacturers and distributors have months to go… If any shelf is empty, there's enough to be able to fill it back up again,'' Minister Maric reassured.

"I have first hand information, we're talking about increased consumption. I repeat again: there are sufficient quantities of everything, and there will be for months to come. There's no need for excessive ''attacks'' on retail chains and the creation of additional and excessive inventory,'' Minister Maric added in an apparent warning to panic buyers who are leaving nothing for others.

"All production is working normally for us. We have several months of supplies, we've been preparing for the season so we will ensure the continuity of production, Croatia will not be left without food and medicine,'' said a statement from the large Croatian company Podravka, which also urged people to please not stockpile.

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