March 27, 2020 - Hajduk Split and Croatia basketball are the latest to join the Croatian humanitarian chain, which includes more and more athletes and clubs by the day.

Namely, Hajduk players and employees have decided to raise money for the needs of KBC Split, reports 24 Sata.

The humanitarian action is in the beginning phase, and details are still unknown, but it is alleged that about 250,000 kuna was raised immediately at the start of the first day, and that amount will surely increase when all club leaders, coaches, players, employees are involved.

The intention at first was to raise funds to buy one respirator and then to launch a bigger action to buy at least one more. However, because of the high demand globally and the lengthy delivery, Hajduk instead decided to raise money to be used for the needs of KBC Split.

Just last week, Hajduk employees collected all the remaining food in the closed club restaurant and donated it to the MoSt Association, which takes care of the homeless. The club also regularly responds to the actions of Split sports journalists '4N', who once a year collect donations for social services. A few months ago, a campaign involving numerous Split clubs raised 110,000 kuna.

There are also numerous individual examples at Hajduk, like player Stefan Simic who donated to the Crisis Headquarters in Supetar on Brac to combat the coronavirus in Croatia. Mayor Ivana Markovic publicly thanked him. 

Furthermore, the players and staff of the Croatia basketball team decided to raise funds collectively and paid over two million kuna to fight the coronavirus and repair damage at Petrova Hospital in Zagreb.

"We want to support the most sensitive part of the system at the moment - the health sector, so that patients and medical staff who are on the front lines of defense in this crisis are taken care of. We initiated this action with the hope that we would help in the fight against the coronavirus, as well as with the renovation and rehabilitation of the Petrova Hospital building, as well as procuring necessary apparatus, medicines, or anything assessed to be primary. Although we are not physically together at the moment, our hearts are in the same place - with Croatia and Zagreb,” said the players and the staff of the national team.

Many national team members, some of them former, as well as members of the staff, took part in the action.

GNK Dinamo also decided to help fight the coronavirus pandemic and the aftermath of the Zagreb earthquake, Narod.hr reported a few days ago.

The club will donate 250,000 kuna for the reconstruction of the Zagreb Children's Disease Clinic on Klaićeva Street, which was damaged in the earthquake, as well as 250,000 kuna for the KBC Zagreb, a clinic for women's diseases and childbirths in Petrova Street, which also suffered in the devastating earthquake.

It will also allocate funds to purchase two fully-equipped ambulances, valued at half a million kuna, so the donation totals one million kuna

Follow TCN's live updates on the coronavirus crisis in Croatia.

Zagreb, March 26th 2020 - By the end of the year, if the government accepts the measures proposed by the initiative GLAS PODUZETINKA (Voice of Croatian Entrepreneurs), 250.000 jobs could be saved, 150.000 layoffs still inevitable.

CRISIS COST PROJECTION ON JOB AVAILABILITY

Headed by the prominent economical and political analyst PhD Vuk Vuković, GLAS PODUZETNIKA initiative made a projection of three possible scenarios that could befall the Croatian private sector. In the worst-case scenario, by the end of the year, 405.000 people could get laid off. In addition to that, by the end of 2021, 160.000 more people could be left jobless. If the current numbers are taken into account, the number of unemployed people could reach up to 700.000, more than half the number of currently working people.

The second scenario that follows the government’s measures will see the shock only partially mitigated. According to the assessments of the analytical team of the initiative, by the end of 2020, 290.000 people, and by the end of 2021, additional 120.000 people could face unemployment. If that happens, the total number of unemployed would climb up to 550.000.

“The assessment was made based on the negative reaction of leading companies to the proposed measures. They offer no security for planning the business years for 2020 and 2021 and some of the companies will have no choice but to go into debt just to keep afloat. In any case, companies will have to react with layoffs which are inevitable at this moment.”, says the initiative and adds that the government's plan will cause a big growth of budget deficit. They cite the inadequate measures package as the main culprit and add that there are no bigger budget expenses cuts planned. “We estimate that the budget deficit in 2020 could, in that case, reach 39 billion kuna, or almost 10% of GDP. In 2021 the deficit would go down because of the end of paycheck subsidies, but it would still be around 27 billion kunas or 6.8% of GDP.”, they remark.

In the third scenario, the Government would completely adopt the measures proposed by GLAS PODUZETNIKA initiative. The job cost of the crisis would be greatly mitigated and could reach up to 150.000 in 2020 with additional 60.000 in 2021. That would mean that we would end 2020 with a total of 290.000 and 2021 with a total of 350.000 unemployed people. After that, according to the initiative’s projections, a much stronger economic recovery would follow and a huge number of companies would be saved from ruin.

“In the case of accepting our measures, the budget deficit would be a bit smaller in 2020, around 25 billion kuna (6.4% of GDP) and in 2021 the deficit would go down to 3 billion kuna (0.8% GDP) because of the assumption of a faster recovery of the private sector.”, the initiative points out and adds that all three 2021 scenarios have accounted for unemployment growth in both public and private sectors.

The crisis will undoubtedly have a negative effect on employment no matter the scenario, so the goal of GLAS PODUZETNIKA initiative is to reduce the possibility of the worst-case scenario as much as possible. “The Government at this moment does not understand the cascade effect on the economy that will be caused by their inadequate measures. Besides that, the Government has not, at any moment, given information on its own projections. They also did not tell us which data, predictions and simulations they are basing their decisions on. Until they show their data to the public, our projections are valid, limited as they are in access to official data, but adjusted with input from the members of the initiative and observations of effects in real time.”, concludes the initiative.

GLAS PODUZETNIKA has to this day gathered almost 60.000 companies, self-employed, small businesses and their workers. With support from companies and businesses that made a profit of more than 11 billion kuna in 2019, its goal is to save the livelihoods of as many employees and entrepreneurs as possible, and to save the Croatian economy from potential long-lasting crisis.

You can follow the Croatian entrepreneurs initiative on the Glas Poduzetnika Facebook page.

As tportal/Maruska Vizek writes on the 26th of March, 2020, following the transition from socialism to a market economy, the Homeland War and the great financial crash of 2008, the coronavirus epidemic is the fourth structural breakdown that has hit the Croatian economy, according to a major analysis by the Zagreb Institute of Economics director Maruska Vizek.

As such, she proposes sixteen anti-crisis measures that should be taken in addition to those already presented by the Government to save the Croatian economy.

Economists have a special name for events like the coronavirus epidemic; we call them structural fractures. A structural breakdown is an unexpected change in an economy that fundamentally changes the behaviour of citizens, businesses and the entire state, which makes economic models and forecasts unreliable. The relatively young country of Croatia had the unfortunate fate of experiencing four massive structural breakdowns in its relatively short history: the transition from socialism to a market economy, the Homeland War, the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, and now the coronavirus pandemic.

In moving to a market economy, Croatia gave up central planning and adopted the practice that the market should be the one to offer insurance for different types of events. So, you can buy insurance in case your pet becomes unwell, in case of a natural disaster, and in case of bankruptcy of the country. However, the market cannot offer insurance against collective global risks such as the effects of climate change or a global pandemic. For such naturally colossal structural breakdowns, the only insurer that can offer insurance is the state itself. And the state, with the help of people well-known for their skills in central planning, needs to offer this insurance as quickly, efficiently and abundantly as possible to prevent a complete economic setback that can also result in wider social collapse.

The pandemic as a litmus paper for the effectiveness of the Croatian Government

The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic can also be seen as an indicative test of how not only the Croatian Government, but how all countries and their governments function. Every government faces the same questions about the pandemic and the high risk of economic crisis that accompanies a pandemic, and their answers tell us a lot about how they govern the countries they lead. In this sense, the response of the Croatian Government to the deep recession that could well be ahead is very indicative: there are seemingly many measures to create the impression of substance, most of which with a little political will mixed in, and they should've been introduced even without the appearance of coronavirus.

In all of that, there are only a few substantive measures that are pre-bureaucratically defined, all accompanied by chaotic communication that brought additional nervousness and uncertainty to the already neglected future beneficiaries of these measures, which have fundamentally changed their lives and businesses in just a few weeks. Of course, it should be borne in mind that not all governments have the same arsenal of measures at their disposal and not all governments face the same set of constraints when defining these measures (we'll touch a little more on that later), but it cannot be denied that our measures have the classic Croatian a signature of prescription and a big lack of courage.

What can be done at all to protect national economies, intensely globalised and economically interdependent, from the effects of a pandemic that happens (hopefully) once every 100 years? How do you help in a situation where, in order to reduce the health consequences of a pandemic, countries are literally forced to break their national economies? The state can do a lot and the market does practically nothing. However, it's first necessary to diagnose the problem and list the limitations that countries face in finding a solution, and only then can adequate solutions be offered.

Three economic shocks because of the epidemic

So, let's start with the diagnosis. The peculiarity of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic is that the structural fracture that has hit us can be broken down into three components. Due to the closure of the borders and the introduction of quarantine, companies are unable to continue with their normal operations, resulting in a decrease in the production of goods and services. It's a supply-side shock. Consumers, however, cannot buy the products and services they normally buy because they either can't, as producers cannot deliver them, or because of quarantine they cannot physically reach them. We'll call it demand-side shock. The collective psychosis that arises from the preoccupation with news of a pandemic and its aftermath creates a third kind of shock, a shock of confidence. For fear of an uncertain future, people lose confidence in the economy and stop buying anything but essential products, and businesses, for the same reason, even if they have liquidity, stop producing and investing.

All three shocks cause a significant decline in economic activity as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), while their impact on prices is ambivalent. Supply shock produces inflation and demand and expectation shocks have a deflationary effect, so, it's ultimately more certain as a result of this pandemic (especially if it is short-lived) to expect a decrease in the general price level, that is, deflation. The aforementioned shocks are mutually supportive and like a ball that increases in size as it descends down the snowy slope it spreads very quickly across the whole economy, which is why the ultimate impact of the pandemic on GDP could be really huge.

Furthermore, due to the fact that the pandemic has spread in the G7 countries and of course in China, to which 60 percent of world's GDP and 65 percent of world's production are related, it's clear that only a few countries will avoid undesirable economic consequences, even if the epidemic itself doesn't actually touch them at all.

How much of a decline in GDP awaits us?

At the moment, it isn't very wise make any estimates of the expected fall in Croatian GDP in the second and third quarters of this year, but this estimate is still necessary because the estimated magnitude of the economic damage caused by the epidemic also necessitates the speed and magnitude of the country's response. The specificity of the structure of the Croatian economy thus makes the negative economic effects of the pandemic potentially significantly more dangerous. Namely, Croatia doesn't have a diversified economy based on productive activities, but instead is focused on tourism, and with abundant tax policy assistance to tourism, which, with transport, hospitality and personal services, is the most affected economic sector. As tourism alone generates 11.4 percent of GDP directly, and we can declare this year's tourist season a failure, the annual decline in GDP coming from this activity alone will be very painful.

It's worth keeping in mind that an epidemic that directly affects the tourism industry is likely (at least in the first strike) to do the most damage to small tourism-focused economies such as Croatia, Malta and Cyprus, than to the economies that are much more affected at the moment, even those who also see a lot of tourism like Italy and Spain, but in which tourism generates only a few percent of GDP.

Although data is currently not available to estimate the expected GDP decline, it can be expected that Croatia will enter into a recession securely and officially in the third quarter, although it is possible for it to enter a recession in the second quarter.

Due to its reliance on tourism and Croatia's recovery from the crisis, it's likely to be different from economies that rely on industry. In contrast to the manufacturing sector, where production was lost due to a lack of raw materials or quarantine, which can be partially or fully compensated when an epidemic passes, services don't have this capability. This means that manufacturing-based economies can expect a V or U recession (hence a decline in activity and either an immediate or very rapid full recovery), while service-based economies can expect an L recession (a decline in activity and a prolonged period of stagnation).

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures

An upcoming recession is therefore a certain result of the coronavirus epidemic. GDP decline is likely to be higher than that recorded in 2008 and 2009, while there is no guarantee of a speedy recovery, even if the pandemic is over quickly. The longer this epidemic lasts, the greater the possibility of economic depression. Depression is an economic situation in which GDP decline is long-lasting, accompanied by high unemployment rates and the declining prices of products and services.

Therefore, the Croatian Government's response to this situation must be decisive, prompt, well coordinated, innovative and financially very generous. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures. Measures that will at least partially restore the confidence of both citizens and business owners in the Croatian economy and will entrench the Croatian state in its current place - the place of insurers of its citizens and businesses against collective global risks.

The preservation of company viability and jobs

What are the priority objectives of these anti-crisis measures? Firstly, to provide sufficient liquidity to businesses and citizens affected by the coronavirus crisis to overcome this temporary economic disruption (while hoping for the epidemic that caused this disruption to be a short-lived one). Without providing additional liquidity to citizens and businesses affected by this crisis, Croatia will face a new wave of unpaid claims, pre-bankruptcy settlements, bankruptcies and unfortunate foreclosures.

The peculiarity of the coronavirus recession is that in the long run, we know that in a few months, when the pandemic is over, the economy will indeed return to normal, but for these few months, in combination with the earthquake that struck Zagreb on Sunday, they look like the end of the world to many businesses. Standard recessions are usually the opposite; we don't see the end of them, but we know that for a few months we can surely push through without giving up our usual lifestyle. And that's why it's important for the state to enable businesses and citizens to bridge this very deep (but hopefully short-lived) economic crisis that lies ahead of us. If the Croatian Government fails to do that, or if they delay the implementation of the necessary measures, a recession is more likely to turn into an economic depression.

Another objective of anti-crisis measures is to preserve jobs. As with the first objective, it is the state that must make a short-term bypass in the labour market so that unemployment doesn't rise massively overnight and lead to a secondary shock in demand.

Maintaining the country's foreign exchange liquidity

The third objective of the necessary anti-crisis measures is to ensure sufficient foreign currency liquidity for the government to continue to repay its outstanding debts. Why is this important? Otherwise, we might have trouble finding the foreign exchange needed to pay for imports and servicing by the end of the year. In other words, if we don't do this - the state could go bankrupt. These currencies are secured from tourism revenue in normal, non-crisis times, but as we can forget this year's season, the 10 billion euros in foreign currency inflows will have to be offset somehow. The fact that we have 18 billion euros in foreign exchange reserves at our disposal is somewhat reassuring, but it will be necessary to provide some more foreign exchange to prevent any speculative attacks on the exchange rate.

It should be noted that there are also goals that aren't complementary to the three goals I've mentioned above. The first such objective is the introduction of the euro (whereby it remains to be seen whether the euro, after all that is currently happening in Italy, Spain and France, has any viable future whatsoever), and the second such aim is to win the next parliamentary elections (whenever they're held). This is definitely a miserable time to be a politician, because this extreme crisis will very accurately detect all the dysfunctionalities of both the state apparatus and the political system, as well as separate the true leaders from those who didn't step up in terms of public service when it was necessary to do so.

Three dances down the wire

The fundamental limitation that the Croatian Government faces in adopting measures to meet the three objectives outlined above is - where can we find the resources to take the necessary measures? Namely, we don't have our own obvious stocks (I'll talk more about less obvious stocks a little later), and at the same time, with each delay day, the likelihood that we can borrow funds on international capital markets decreases.

Furthermore, ideally, the entire state budget expenditure needed for assistance should be monetised. The government would therefore have to issue domestic bonds in order to borrow money for the necessary measures, and these bonds would then be bought directly or indirectly by the Croatian National Bank. However, this ideal case scenario is appropriate and fully enforceable only in large and more developed countries because they don't face capital flight during times of crisis, instead, investors with surplus savings want to ''park'' their capital in those countries.

Small and underdeveloped economies such as Croatia, with the lack of their own resources to combat the crisis, are already facing the outflow of foreign capital, which can significantly weaken the exchange rate and thus further destabilise the economy. This ultimately means that the Croatian economy and other economies like it, in the fight against the crisis will have to, figuratively speaking, dance a monetary dance along a very thin wire - on the one hand, the state must pump money into the system with extravagant measures, and on the other hand, it must ensure that these same measures don't cause the exchange rate to collapse.

The second dance on wire, which is needed because of the constraints we face, is a fiscal dance. It consists of balancing the need for a very large stimulus package from the state budget.

The third dance down the wire is the austerity dance, which consists of balancing the need to soak up some of the funds for anti-crisis measures through budgetary savings, without exaggerating in order not to deepen the already described demand shock and to prevent the country from really ending up in a truly deep economic depression.

Let's now look at the anti-crisis measures proposals that should be taken in addition to those currently proposed

1. The establishment of a crisis headquarters to defend against the coronavirus recession

Judging by the list of measures currently proposed, the government has seriously underestimated the magnitude of the problem it is facing. When you read the proposed measures, you get the impression that they were made so that a circular was sent to all ministries to suggest what each of them could do. As a result, we've been given a lengthy list that will require a large number of changes to laws and regulations, without the measures themselves being financially generous enough to address the problem we're facing whatsoever.

In a situation where it is necessary to respond quickly, precisely, efficiently, very concretely and convincingly, such a bottom-up approach makes no sense at all. The measures should be designed and coordinated by a centralised expert body with adequate expertise and with all relevant information on the table. This isn't a moment for some sort of spontaneous trial and error method, but for a responsible and competent central planner capable of perceiving both the global situation and national specificities. This situation is very serious, there is very little time to react and the time we do have must be used in an optimal way.

2. The withdrawal of income tax advance payment

In a situation where we can be overjoyed if Croatia's GDP declines in the second and third quarters, this is ambiguous. Only a few companies will make a profit this year. Paying an advance on corporate income tax is therefore meaningless and only exacerbates the already deeply impaired liquidity of companies. The cancellation of this down payment doesn't apply to public companies.

3. VAT deferral from March onwards for all affected businesses

Quarantine has been in force in Croatia for a week now, which means that many sectors affected by the crisis are no longer generating any revenue at all, while they are expected to pay taxes such as VAT on invoices issued in February, which are paid in March, and most of the affected companies pay it from the revenue generated in March. If these revenues are absent or substantially reduced due to the quarantine imposed by the state, the question arises as to how the entrepreneurs will pay this tax at all. In other words, those entrepreneurs who were forced to sink their business completely due to quarantine in March should be allowed to postpone their VAT due in March and for all subsequent months. If that doesn't happen, the state will actually turn the liquidity problem - which it's claiming it wants to solve - into a wider economic one, thus causing the illiquidity spiral Croatia has already seen back in the 1990s.

4. The ''forgiveness'' of the payment of income tax and surtax for all taxpayers in the private sector for the duration of Croatia's quarantine

Delaying tax payments doesn't make sense in a situation where the coronavirus epidemic will permanently reduce revenues for all businesses (except for the few who produce goods and services for which demand during the crisis has increased). In order to avoid the deep shock of severely diminished demand and create a spiral of illiquidity, one should first select a tax form for which this ''forgiveness'' will apply. If employment in the private sector is to be maintained, it may be the most prudent decision to exempt income tax and the corresponding surtax for the duration of quarantine. Additional tax exemptions are possible if the measures to improve the liquidity of the state bear fruit, but at present, and with limited information available to the expert public, that can't really be discussed.

5. Prepare a new issue of government bonds on the international and domestic markets

International bond issuance can take place within just one month, and it's necessary to provide additional foreign exchange liquidity for the country and reduce the mounting pressure on the exchange rate. This should start immediately; the more difficult it becomes, the less likely it is that such bonds will be issuable, especially since credit rating agencies will certainly return Croatia's credit rating back doen to a non-investment grade (or, colloquially, a junk rating). At the same time as the issuance of foreign bonds, the issue of bonds on the domestic market should be prepared immediately and without delay, which can then be purchased from banks, investment funds and insurers, the most visible buyers of such securities, by the Croatian National Bank.

6. Use the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to abolish export restrictions on certain goods and services and to agree financial assistance measures for particularly affected member states

Getting the European Union out of the crisis will require coordinated action at European level and the solidarity of the less affected member states towards those who, like Croatia, will be more affected by the crisis. Croatia has the opportunity to impose this narrative during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union and propose a platform and some measures for coordinated economic action. The European Union should, in theory, be similar to marriage and its core values ​​should absolutely refer to ''in sickness and in health''. If the Union abandons the principle of solidarity in this situation, in only makes the question of what purpose such a union serves at all even louder.

7. Examine the possibility of opening a credit facility with the European Central Bank

Such a credit line would have been available to us if Croatia had entered the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, but only in the case of serious disturbances in the exchange rate. However, as the crisis hit us shortly before joining the mechanism, and as our banking system is predominantly owned by banks in the Eurozone, we need to try to arrange a line of credit that would allow us to access these badly needed foreign currencies.

8. The reinforcement of the Croatian National Bank's government bond repurchase programme

The primary source of financing for the stimulus package to help the Croatian economy and citizens will have to come through the purchase of government bonds and treasury bills by the central bank. Given that the stimulus package must be financially more generous than the one currently proposed, the buyout will need to be multiplied by an enormous four billion kuna. No private lender can swallow the amount of debt needed to stabilise economies in this state and help them avoid collapse. Only central banks' balance sheets, and then the CNB's balance sheet, can swallow that amount of cash.

9. Look for a stand-by arrangement with the IMF

There's no shame, nor should there be a sense of failure in seeking an arrangement with the IMF at a time like this if you're a small and underdeveloped economy like Croatia, which is already facing or will be facing a shortage of foreign exchange to finance its obligations. Eighty countries have already been in this order since the epidemic began, and we need to line up, too. If for no other reason, then as a precautionary measure should measures 5, 6 and 7 fail. IMF resources are also limited, which once again means that there is no time to waste and that we must immediately seek a stand-by arrangement.

10. The reduction of salaries in public and utility companies and payment of advance payments to the state budget

This would be the first of the austerity and diversion measures from the public sector to the private sector. Public companies have an average of one third higher salaries for the same jobs compared to government and public services. It is one of the less obvious ''stocks'' of funding needed to fund anti-crisis measures. Collective agreements in public companies should be cancelled (for which all the conditions are now due to these extraordinary circumstances), salaries should be reduced and all excess liquidity transferred to the state budget through corporate income tax advance (and, if necessary, other creative measures).

11. The reduction of salaries in local self-government units

This segment of the public sector also has significantly higher salaries than state and public services do. Wages will need to be reduced to a lesser extent than those in public companies in order to stabilise the budgets of local government units, which will bear the burden of income tax ''forgiveness''. The proposal applies to other public authorities, such as tourist boards whose salaries also differ from the rest of the public sector.

12. The reduction of salaries in the civil and public service

Collective agreements for state and public services should be cancelled. Salaries should be linearly reduced in all services except for those in the health system and the police. For all three proposed pay cuts, the constraints should all be taken into account, because pre-term savings in the form of public sector pay cuts in these conditions are counterproductive, especially if they're of a more lasting nature. Temporary significant cuts, especially if well motivated and adequately presented to public sector employees, could be much more effective. It isn't possible to say in advance how much the proposed pay cuts would need to be in the three categories of the public sector, as this requires a little more detailed analysis and verification of the feasibility of the remaining proposed measures intended to improve domestic and international liquidity, but it will definitely be needed.

13. The use of funds from the second pension pillar to keep the economy alive

I have to admit that I never thought I'd ever advocate buying CNB government bonds or encroaching on another pillar. But according to the legendary statement of the great English economist John Meynard Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind. In other words, if things get really nasty and if the epidemic persists, retirement savings will have to be put on the table as an option to fund economic rescue measures. In other words, pension funds are also another less obvious stock for anti-crisis funds. Pension funds are holding government bonds in their portfolio(s) anyway, and it's certain that their share in the portfolio will need to increase in order to reduce the need for borrowing from abroad. It is disturbing that we have to sacrifice the future in order to save the present, but if we were to rationalise budget spending, such solutions wouldn't be necessary today. Many economists have been warning us about this for decades, and no one has taken it seriously.

14. Ensure that the excess liquidity pumped by the CNB into the system reaches the private sector, ie - that it doesn't end up in the public sector

The Croatian National Bank is following the steps it has taken to date. Delaying the possibility of a moratorium and rescheduling past due liabilities to maintain the stability of the banking system, while reducing the reserve requirement and expanding the bond repurchase programme in order to stabilise the bond market and increase the liquidity of the banking system. The real challenge is yet to come because it will have to ''dance'' a monetary dance along that proverbial wire; therefore multiplying the bond repurchases while defending the exchange rate at the same time. At the moment, however, it's crucial to conclude that this increased new liquidity doesn't just remain with the banks because they will be prone to uncertainty regarding the situation in which we find ourselves ''storing'' that liquidity in our giro accounts.

In other words, it makes no sense to flood the banking system with new money if that money just ends up staying with the banks. This money is needed by and for the Croatian economy, whether it is transferred through the banking system or through state support measures. It is even more crucial to conclude that this new excess liquidity of the banking system doesn't serve for the direct financing of the public sector, which banks will also be inclined to, because at this moment in time, placing loans in the public sector is a much safer option than lending them to the private one.

Thus, excess liquidity should be channeled through the redemption of new government bonds into the state budget solely to offset the tax revenue lost by introducing tax relief and deferrals and financing minimum wages for crisis-hit companies and businesses. Part of the money should also be diverted to the reprogramming of existing loans and the granting of new, very cheap loans to businesses. Given the ''reduced risk appetite'' of commercial banks, it would be advisable to devise a joint lending programme for commercial banks and for HBOR.

15. If the epidemic doesn't last for more than a few months, introduce a tourist voucher programme

The sectors most affected by the crisis will need a highly specific support programme. The tourism sector deserves special attention because it generates eleven percent of Croatia's GDP, and this year it has no chance of generating any revenue in a normal way. So, if we're lucky and the epidemic ends quickly, vouchers can save that sector from collapse.

16. Review the necessity of the existence of individual state bodies and institutions

This coronavirus crisis can also be an opportunity for reform. In view of the fact that excessive cutting of public expenditure in such a situation is counterproductive, the possibility of restructuring and abolishing certain public authorities which are not expedient for the purpose of achieving further savings should definitely be examined. A wide variety of options are available, and only actual political will for such a move is needed.

In the end, it should be borne in mind that these are only umbrella macroeconomic measures that need to be accompanied by additional sectoral policies. In such volatile times, the situation may change overnight (for the worse or for the better), and that will require the constant adjustment of the measures already adopted and the introduction of more new ones. It is quite certain that, as a consequence of these measures, both the deficit and public debt will explode, which is acceptable to the European Commission at the moment, and with them, the balance sheet of the central bank will explode. But at this point there's no other choice.

Furthermore, one should be aware that measures 2, 3, 4, 14 and 15 may also save a lot of those who have long been in bankruptcy, among others. Now is not the time, however, for these insights to be a pretext for hesitation. More substantial measures than those currently proposed must be enacted as soon as possible. Speed is now necessary.

The whole world is currently swimming through economically unfamiliar waters and no one knows the right way to the shoreline. However, staying out in the middle of a storm like this and not doing things properly cannot be an acceptable solution. The comparative advantage of Croatia is that in the last three and a half decades, it has successfully survived the socialist shortages, the collapse of the former Yugoslavia and its economic system, the Homeland War and the devastation that came with it, the care of a large number of displaced persons, international sanctions, as well as the financial crash. We will survive this, too.

For more on coronavirus in Croatia, follow our dedicated section.

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - Prisoners in Split's Bilice prison have started a strike, refusing to eat prison food out of fear that COVID-19 could enter the prison, and Justice Minister Dražen Bošnjaković called on them on Thursday to end the strike.

"Someone has told them that detainees under investigation are innocent under the Constitution and should be released," Bošnjaković said. He explained that they are innocent until proven guilty, but under the law "they have to be isolated during the investigation."

He said that care was being taken within the system to maintain hygiene and to reduce risks, adding that not one carrier of the disease had been identified in the entire prison system but that some officers were in self-isolation, which is not critical.

Bošnjaković said that there was a significant drop in the number of people being sent to prison. The recommendation is that those cases who are a danger to society should be sent to prison while misdemeanour cases will be dealt with after the crisis ends, he said.

Bošnjaković added that the courts are only handling urgent cases because of the coronavirus crisis, while other cases are being deferred.

"The primary message is that the courts are functioning. The thing that needs to be said is that they are handling urgent cases like protecting the rights of minors, violent crimes and determining prison sentences," he told reporters.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - The European Union has drawn up an investment plan worth €37 billion in response to the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, of which €1.16 billion is earmarked for Croatia, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said Thursday.

The coronavirus crisis "requires the responsibility and unity of the European Union. The European Commission's investment plan has secured €37 billion, of which Croatia will receive €1.16 billion. The priority is to preserve health and jobs," according to a tweet posted by Plenković, who is taking part in a video conference of EU leaders. The main topic discussed is the fight against COVID-19 and the rebuilding of economies afterwards.

The European Commission investment proposal was adopted by the European Parliament at its plenary session.

The €37 billion “Corona Response Investment Initiative” is directed at health care systems, SMEs, labour markets and other vulnerable parts of EU economies.

The EU leaders also upheld the decision to open EU membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania.

"We are happy about this confirmation. With this, one of the priorities of Croatia's presidency of the EU Council has been fulfilled. This also shows that the EU remains committed to its priorities in these difficult circumstances," Plenković said.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, March 27, 2020 - According to data from eVisitor, there were 10,757 tourists in Croatia as of March 25, 60% domestic and 40% foreign, and the majority (46%) were in non-commercial accommodation, the National Tourist Board (HTZ) says.

Of the 4,308 foreign tourists, 11% were from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4% from Slovenia and 3% from Serbia and Germany each.

In a response to a query from Hina, HTZ says that on March 25 there were 821 more tourists in Croatia than on March 19, when eVisitor recorded 9,936.

This year through March 25, 630,000 tourists visited Croatia, generating 1.8 million nights, down 25.3% and 15% on the year respectively, which is a direct effect of coronavirus.

More tourism news can be found in the Travel section.

March 27, 2020 - So, what is Split like one week into the Croatian "lockdown"? A closer look.

Last Thursday, March 20, the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters announced the strictest measures yet in the fight against the coronavirus. 

Restaurants, bars, and cafes were forced to close until at least April 19, parks are taped off, and you’ll notice police breaking up any gathering of more than a few people -  especially if you’re not two meters apart. 

The strict measures continued not even one week later, when the Civil Protection Headquarters announced restrictions on moving between cities, and citizens cannot leave their respective local government units, save for a few exceptions.

No, Croatia is not on total lockdown like Italy or Spain. We can still freely walk to the store and pharmacy (so long as we’re not in groups). Some of us are still setting out on solo walks in nature, while others are enjoying walks along the coast with their dogs. Depending on where you are, you may run into the police. We’re certainly urged to stay at home and to leave our homes only if necessary, which seems like Croatians are mostly adhering to.

Being the only one fit in my household to head out during these strange times, I documented my Split shopping experience one week after Croatia mostly shut down. 

As you can see, the streets are empty - and I live in the Firule neighborhood right next to the hospital, which is usually bustling with grocery stores, bakeries, and cafe-goers. 

Walking by the pharmacy, a line of 5 people waited outside, as only a few customers are allowed in at a time.

Onto Spar, where I did my shopping. The first thing I noticed: an ad offering help to neighbors in need, as we have seen circulating quite often in Croatia over the last week.

A Spar employee was parked at the entrance to the store, ushering shoppers in two at a time. I waited for about 8 minutes.

A sign on the door reads that only 35 shoppers can be inside the store at a time.

Spar itself was fully stocked, with enough toilet paper to carry us through the next few months. 

No shelf in the store was empty, with the meat panic buying of a few weeks before long gone.

Follow TCN's live updates on the coronavirus crisis in Croatia.

March 27, 2020 - According to Oxford University, Croatia has the strictest coronavirus measures in the world. 

Although some members of the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters are dissatisfied with citizens' behavior and threatening even harsher measures, judging by the state measures tracker in the fight against the coronavirus, Croatia is currently implementing the most rigorous measures in the world, according to Oxford University.

Namely, British researchers are looking at basic criteria such as school closures, travel bans, and public gatherings bans, and then compares these measures to the number of people currently infected, thereby obtaining an index of the rigor of the measures implemented.

The purpose of the meter is to offer transparent insight into the measures taken by world governments to combat the coronavirus, and the published data will be updated frequently.

Judging by the coronavirus meter, Croatia is currently implementing the most rigorous measures in the world, with Serbia and Syria not far behind. Thus, it should be kept in mind that countries with few cases that responded quickly were highlighted.

Croatia closed schools, playgrounds, banned public gatherings, closed cafes, restaurants, and all shops that were not necessary very early on, and public transport was suspended. Croatia urges citizens to stay at home and some parts of the country, such as Murter, are quarantined.

While Croatia is at the top, some countries, such as the United States, where the infection is expected to explode, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada, are below the midline of austerity measures.

Health Minister Vili Beros commented on this analysis for RTL Danas, saying that Croatia is at the European top because of these measures.

"Our results so far show that we are among the countries that have slower growth in the number of patients. I think the measures are introduced on time and very carefully balanced. We have announced a certain reduction in these measures relating to shops around the markets that provide supplies because life should not and will not stop. We need to carefully balance the preservation of normal life flows and the possibility that the infection continues to spread," he said.

We also must remember, however, that the Oxford tracker does not have country-specific data such as India, which has become the world's largest quarantine. Namely, 1.3 billion people must stay in their homes, and the media is flooded with videos of the police attacking everyone who they find on the street. 

You can see the Oxford Government Response Tracker here.

Source: Direkno.hr

Follow TCN’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis in Croatia.

March 27, 2020 - Eight-year-old Simon Coric from Nustar delighted people across Croatia after a drawing of his superheroes went viral. 

In the corona era, it’s clear that our superheroes have shifted from the usual Batman and Superman to healthcare workers and those on the streets keeping us safe - and in this case, it is the Croatian Civil Protection team. 

Dnevnik.hr reports that one eight-year-old boy from Nustar, a small, eastern Croatian village not far from Vinkovci, could hardly hide his praise for the hard work of the Croatian Civil Protection team, who have become Croatian celebrities overnight thanks to their diligence and dedication to Croatian health and safety in the fight against the coronavirus. 

The famous faces go unrecognized by no one today, as television screens flaunt them multiple times a day to keep us informed and prepared for whatever is next to come.

“Do you recognize these four? Eight-year-old Simon from Nustar says they are heroes to him!” Reads an announcement from the Nustar municipality with a photo of a boy proudly holding a drawing.

Namely, Simon Coric drew his favorite comic book superheroes: Superman, Batman, Flash, and Wonder Woman, but below them wrote the names of the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters -  Vili Beros, Krunoslav Capak, Davor Bozinovic, and Alemka Markotic. Below the figures, Simon used the hashtags #OstaniDoma, or #StayHome, encouraging people to do just that.

Health Minister Willi Beros saw the drawing and sent Simon a special message:

“'Dear Simon, thank you. Take care of your loved ones... You are their shield and my hero! Love, Vili,” Beros wrote from the official Facebook page koronavirus.hr.

In a time of uncertainty and panic, Simon's drawing and crucial message is a ray of sunshine that has undoubtedly won the hearts of the Croatian people.

Thank you, Simon, and thank you to the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters!

Follow TCN's live updates on the coronavirus in Croatia.

(Photo credit My Fit Station)

As Grazia writes on the 20th of March, 2020, many measures are currently circulating around about how best to take care of yourself and others during the coronavirus pandemic, and among them is to minimise going out, and if you can - to minimise going to buy groceries.

In order to do this and at the same time contribute to the development of the domestic economy, here are some useful Croatian platforms that offer online delivery, while at the same time in the range, among other things, offer products from Croatian OPGs and domestic products.

GARDEN (all of Croatia)

With over a decade of experience, Garden is also synonymous with organic food delivery to many. Garden's team is made up of experts on organic production, with one mission: to bring the highest quality eco products to every Croatian table at affordable prices for everyone.

"Our eco products have an environmental certificate that guarantees organic origin, including our own Garden and Superfood brands, which can be found to be of the same high quality at the lowest prices in Croatia,'' they say on their page.

Visit garden.hr.

GREENCAJG (Zagreb)

Now that it is essential in the cold and flu season to nourish and work on boosting immunity, Greencajg is a great source of eco and healthy foods that wants to support all those who said no to pesticides, GMOs, fertilisers, and any food that could be a health hazard at all. The products you can find are the result of the collaboration of local certified OPGs that grow organic and healthy products, and you will find a wide selection of them for your daily needs of vegetables, fruit, cereals, oils, cosmetics, and much more - all of which having been produced in a natural and healthy way. The Healthy and Homemade Eco-Food Store itself is located at Heinzelova 4, near Kvaternik Square.

Visit www.greencajg.hr.

PRIRODA I DRUŠTVO/NATURE AND SOCIETY (all of Croatia)

Nature and society is a bio-commerce where certified bio-products can be purchased, including organic food, gluten-free products, natural nutritional supplements, face and body care products, bread and pastries, housekeeping items and even literature to motivate positive change. In their bio-commerce, they hold a large range of top-quality eco-products from renowned European and Croatian manufacturers. They also offer seasonal fruit and vegetables from Croatian OPGs with bio-certification.

Visit prirodaidrustvo.hr.

VOCARNA.HR (Zagreb)

This company has been acquiring loyal customers for eight years and has become one of the favourite addresses to go to for lovers of fresh fruit and vegetables. They cooperate with domestic producers from all over Croatia and complement it with a range of EU-sourced goods.

Visit vocarna.hr.

T.O.SVJEŽA RIBA/T.O. FRESH FISH (Zagreb)

This is a small family business, which has long been involved in fishing and all things fish. It places special emphasis on fresh and local produce. The fish comes from all parts of the Croatian Adriatic, but mostly from Mali Lošinj, which is known for its top quality white fish.

Visit their Facebook page here.

SUPERDANKO.COM (all of Croatia)

Superdanko is made from all-natural ingredients; peanuts, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, flax, cold pressed sunflower oil, Himalayan salt, honey or maple syrup in a vegan variant. It appears as a fine, smooth spread, and also in a crunchy version. This unique spread provides a myriad of combinations. In addition to being eaten on a spoon (one tablespoon can replace breakfast and keeps you going for a few hours), it is excellent in combination with various jams, on bread, on pancakes, added to smoothies, but also to soups, stews, sauces… There's nowhere Superdanko wouldn't fit in the kitchen.

Visit superdanko.com.

I'MEATINGATHOME/JEDEMDOMA.HR (Zagreb)

This catering and cooking service is fully adapted to the current coronavirus situation, so it will focus all its resources on producing a range of premium semi-finished meals with a shelf life. The most popular dishes will be packed in jars and vacuum packs, and they will continue to be delivered in the form of meals with a shelf life, and you'll still be able to take them to work if you're not self isolating, or consume them at home. In addition, they introduced contactless delivery. This means that they encourage credit card payments and bank account payments. They will ring the doorbell or message you that they have arrived and place the ordered products in front of the door.

Visit jedemdoma.hr.

PLAC.HR (Zagreb)

Plac.hr is engaged in the retailing of fresh fruit, vegetables and local products. They also have exotic fruits on request. The goal of the company is primarily to promote local products and local smaller producers, so you can find everything from chocolate, oils, spices, pastas, jams, and various spreads to beer, sauces and various juices.

Visit plac.hr.

MALIPLAC.HR (Zagreb)

Mali Plac brings together interesting gastro stories, showcasing smaller domestic producers and boasting a sustainable philosophy, exploring food sources, discovering new foods from local farmers, connecting producers and buyers without the middle man, supporting valuable initiatives, bringing the community together around the table and boosting the local economy. With a focus on indigenous and naturally grown Croatian products, Mali Plac has gathered more than 500 small local producers under its umbrella, and has been delivering to homes for some time now. What you need to do if you want healthy, fresh and checked foods every week is to sign up. You can do this by writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the note ''Delivery information'', after which you will be notified of the details and the grocery list. Then, every Thursday, your order will arrive at your address. Sounds ideal, doesn't it?

Visit www.mali-plac.org.

THE FOOD STOCK MARKET/BURZAHRANE (all of Croatia)

BurzaHrane is a specific specialised portal that connects buyers and manufacturers across Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Austria and the rest of the EU. Manufacturers, you can place your ad, buyers, you can choose from many food categories. Various herbs, spices, mushrooms, eggs, meat, dairy products, various drinks, fish, cereals and more are available.

Visit burzahrane.hr.

HEALTHY FOOD FACTORY/TVORNICA ZDRAVE HRANE (all of Croatia)

One of the most popular stores and online platforms offers over 3000 healthy and organic products at what they say is the "most affordable price in Croatia". There, you will find everything from seeds, legumes, cereals, flour, pasta, sweet and savory supplements, oils, spices, sauces… all the way to baby food and more.

Visit tvornicazdravehrane.com.

BIO BIO (all of Croatia)

Bio & bio's eco-products stores are recognised for their proven and high quality assortment of completely natural products and a large selection of certified organic brands from both Croatian and international producers. The bio & bio store offers more than 4,000 natural and certified organic products in its food and beverage category, as well as nutritional supplements, organic cosmetics and even organic household maintenance products which are subject to strict quality controls and possess all of the relevant certifications.

Visit biobio.hr.

MILK BAR (Zagreb)

Milk bar is a brand belonging to the Mario Krog family farm from Gornja Pačetina near Krapina, which officially started operating back in 2016. They produce yoghurts made from cow and goat milk every day, but they also have a line of sweet yoghurts without additives and extra cinnamon and acacia honey. Since last year, they offer fruit desserts of yogurt in the flavoors of figs, cherry maraska and bitter mandarin in collaboration with the brand Sinjorina Smokva from Zadar. All products are packaged in 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7l glass containers and they are zero waste mini yoghurts. Delivery only covers the Zagreb area and several addresses near the farm, every Wednesday, and packages can be ordered by Tuesday.

Visit drinkmilk.eu.

FINO.HR (all of Croatia)

Fino.hr is an online store selling natural homemade food. It started operating back in May 2010 and was then the first online store of its kind in all of Croatia. In addition to the online point of sale, all of the products on offer can also be purchased at the physical store at Kninski trg 7 - Zagreb, in an area of the city called Vrbik. It's a place where you can find and buy a variety of foods produced by small family-owned producers and growers. Most of them also have an EKO label (eco-label), which means that the food was grown on soil that hasn't been treated with chemicals.

Visit fino.hr.

SPAJZ (Osijek)

"Spajz" is a small restaurant in Osijek and a health food store, which in addition to the usual products, offers a healthy fresh breakfast, lunch or dessert in a jar! A family runs the farm and most of the ingredients in the jars are completely domestic. You can buy them on their website.

Visit spajz.com.hr.

FINOTEKA DELIVERY/FINOTEKA DOSTAVA (all of Croatia)

Buyers from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Belgium order top-quality products from Croatian OPGs to their doorstep via this website. Finoteka's specificity is that fruit and vegetables aren't stored, but function on a "field to table within 24 hours" principle. This literally means that some fruits or vegetables that you just read about are growing in someone's garden in Croatia right now, and tomorrow the package of those products is going to be delivered to your doorstep. Their delivery is as good on the islands as it is on the mainland. They say the quality of service, or the speed of delivery, is the same whether you live in the city or the most remote of places.

Visit finotekadostava.com.

ZDRAVI PINKLEC (Zagreb and the surrounding areas)

Zdravi Pinklec was born from the idea that everyone should be able to consume fresh food, regardless of whether they work all day long, so they don't need to merely rely on knowing someone who has a "grandmother in Zagorje, an aunt in Slavonia or a neighbour from Lika" in order to be able to access it. Fresh, seasonal ingredients of Croatian origin are thus available to anyone who wants them via this website. Every Sunday, a newsletter is sent to all members of the Zdravi Pinklec community, listing all the foods. You can send your orders by Tuesday evening and delivery day is Friday.

Visit zdravipinklec.hr.

UBERIOVO (all of Croatia)

Uberiovo.hr is an online store that chooses the right home-grown food for you, whenever possible, from organic farms. See what they've got on offer, pick up some organic vegetables and fruit, order your vitamin dose every week and put a spring in the step of Croatia's many eco farmers. Recently, they have complemented their offer with imported biocertified products that aren't otherwise available on the domestic eco market, to ensure a complete selection of the healthiest foods. Imported organic products include the word "bio" or "organic" in their names, while the domestic ones are "organic". All three characteristics indicate eco-farming products that are under the close supervision of the authorised monitoring stations, and their use depends only on the established legislation of each country. The ordered goods are delivered to your doorstep. Delivery to Rijeka and its surroundings is on Saturdays and deliveries take place on Thursdays for the rest of Croatia.

Visit uberiovo.hr.

BROSKVA (Pula)

If you're from Pula and you want to eat healthier, homemade organic food, this is the website for you while coronavirus keeps you locked up. By regularly buying locally produced organic produce, you don't only do a lot for the health of your family, but you also support the development of eco-farming. Broskva delivers freshly harvested eco foods and Croatian organic produce from the fields of local OPGs right to your doorstep.

Visit broskva.hr.

ECEKER.HR (Osijek and the surrounding settlements)

This website enables manufacturers to enter the market on a group basis, and enables buyers to have high-quality food delivered right to their doorstep. Fruit, vegetables, honey, nuts, meats, bread products, oils and more.

Visit eceker.hr.

VARAŽDINSKI PLAC (Varaždin)

Need fresh homemade ingredients right from a plot of local land and live in the Varaždin area? Choose from a large range of foods you can find on Varaždinski plac and it will be delivered right to your doorstep. Please contact +385 42 320 956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Delivery is exclusively in the area of ​​Varaždin, and the delivery price is 20 kuna, while for the pensioners it is 15 kuna. Orders received before 11:00 are delivered the same day, while orders received after 11:00 are delivered the next morning from 08:00 onwards.

TABLE/TRPEZA (Dubrovnik)

The service is based on the need for organic, locally grown foods that meet all the right standards. Whether you create your own grocery list and want to pick it up on the go, or you need inspiration for your next meal at your doorstep - you will find a package for yourself at Trpeza.

Visit trpeza.com.hr.

AZZRI (Istria)

The Agency for Rural Development of Istria (AZRRI) has come to the conclusion that these days of the coronavirus crisis, that they can help deliver food to Istrian households and offer them their well-known products, which until now have been mainly delivered to high-end restaurants that are now closed. The Agency for Rural Development of Istria from Pazin will, depending on the quantities available, supply fresh meat from Istrian cattle and boars to citizens of Istria County. There will be two types of family packages on offer, large and small, which will be delivered to citizens every Thursday, and more often if necessary. The smaller family package weighs about six pounds, and contains three smaller packages of two pounds each, full of Istrian ingredients. The price of a small package is 430 kuna or 72 kuna per kilogram (VAT included).

Orders are received every day from 07:00 until 15:00 until Wednesday at the official contact email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the contact number: 052 351 570. In order to receive a small or large package, you'll need to specify the delivery address and the contact telephone number.

DON VITO BUTCHER (Zagreb)

The Don Vito Butchery was established back in 1998. It offers a wide range of meat products based on domestic, high quality and HACCP standards. For all orders over 400 kuna, they offer free delivery in the City of Zagreb, and all categories of meat can be ordered.

Visit mesnica-donvito.com.

BUTCHER/MESNICA NENO (Zagreb)

This establishment has amassed a lot of loyal customers. Their offer is based on domestic, high quality meat and meat products. In their business, they apply and implement the HACCP system and the rules that it defines. Meat and product delivery service is provided from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 14:00 right to your doorstep. On Saturdays and Sundays there is no delivery and the minimum amount for delivery is 400 kuna. Deliveries are made in the wider centre of Zagreb or by appointment.

Visit mesnica-neno.com.hr.

FOODIN.IO (Zagreb)

The team behind foodin.io has customised their website and app to allow people to have groceries delivered to their doorstep as soon as possible. Here, you will find all the essential ingredients you need such as meat, vegetables, fruit, various spices, sauces, pastas... In short, an offer that can be found in large retail chains.

Visit foodin.io.

ŠPAJZA (Rijeka)

The citizens of Rijeka will, upon visiting Špajza's website, find a lot of things, from flour, juices, sprouts, fruit, oil, vinegar, various spices, coffee, teas, dairy products, detergents and much more. The products are offered in bulk.

Visit spajza.hr.

MM CANTEEN/MM KANTINA (Zagreb)

If your palate craves a premium gastronomic experience, MM Kantina offers free delivery of premium food in the Zagreb area. Various wines, lamb chops, veal chops, Italian and Spanish delicacies and more.

Visit selekcija-mm.hr.

Follow our dedicated section for rolling information and helpful updates about coronavirus in Croatia.