November the 12th, 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has discussed the introduction of the wider use of the Croatian covid pass which is set to come into force next week. Questions were also asked about the potential for their introduction in cafes, restaurants and other catering and hospitality facilities.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Plenkovic pointed out that today, the Croatian Civil Protection Directorate will hold a conference to talk in more detail about the previously announced introduction of the Croatian covid pass in state and public services from Monday.

“Vaccination is free, testing and obtaining a Croatian covid pass is free. The state, which is our common money, has made everything available to people, and it's now up to them to use it,'' said the Prime Minister, before adding that we have coronavirus vaccines, and that he's once again asking everyone to please get vaccinated and protect themselves and others.

He also commented on whether covid passes will be introduced in private companies as well as public and state bodies.

"We have to take care of everything, we need to make sure that people can continue to go to work, that production continues, that traffic works and that educational institutions remain in operation. These are the fourth elements that are most important to the government at this moment in time. Everything else that is economically important, from catering and hospitality to shopping malls, are all important but they aren't the same as the above. It's the choice of each of us as individuals whether to go where there are a lot of people around, where it could be crowded, stuffy and loud,'' he said.

To the announcements and speculation circulating that the Croatian covid pass could be introduced in cafes, Plenkovic replied that "that will certainly not be the case''.

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November 11, 2021 - At least two Zagreb faculties have decided to adopt tighter epidemiological measures, thus introducing the requirement for COVID certificates from their students. The Faculty of Philosophy is moving to online classes, while at the Veterinary School they will check the certificates before each lecture.

From Monday, COVID certificates became mandatory for employees in all state and public institutions, including educational institutions. While we are still waiting for details on their application for the school system, which, according to the announcement of minister Radovan Fuchs, should be known by tomorrow, it is known that school students will not have to get COVID certificates, reports Telegram.hr.

For faculty students, on the other hand, at least in two Zagreb faculties COVID certificates will become mandatory. The Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Philosophy in Zagreb sent a letter to their students informing them that they would have to have COVID certificates to enter their faculties. One of these two Zagreb faculties is the Faculty of Philosophy, which has switched to online classes from November 15 to 26, and after that, entrance will be controlled to ensure each student presents both a COVID certificate and an Index. The faculty will reimburse its employees for the cost of testing done by November 28th.

Veterinary students will not be able to attend any form of classes, nor stay on the faculty premises without a COVID certificate, decided dean Nenad Turk. In a letter to the students, he states that the certificates will be checked before each lecture and that the absence from classes due to the lack of a certificate will be the same as the absence due to other reasons and will have to be justified by medical reference, writes srednja.hr.

Students at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons, must submit proof of this to the office by tomorrow. They will be able to participate in classes with enhanced measures, according to the faculty. They emphasized that wearing masks is mandatory in all enclosed spaces of the faculty.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, they conducted an anonymous survey among students and employees to see how many were vaccinated, and the reasons why they would or have been vaccinated, and the most common answer was: "to normalize life as much as possible." According to that survey, more than 90 percent of employees and about 70 percent of students were vaccinated or contracted COVID. "This ensures a favorable epidemiological situation at the Faculty," they said.

They also explained why they introduced mandatory certificates for students. “We also included students because we believe that students as adults and responsible persons must respect the same measures as all employees and guests of the Faculty, in order to avoid any discrimination and ensure consistency of prescribed measures, in order to protect all our employees and students and safe implementation of the teaching process”, said the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and are waiting for instructions from the Ministry to decide who will cover the costs of testing.

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ZAGREB, 11 Nov, 2021 - Those who have received the third dose of the vaccine, got infected with COVID-19 even after getting vaccinated with two doses or got infected for the second time will receive a COVID certificate that will be valid one year after the last event, the Jutarnji List daily said on Thursday.

However, the IT part of the job has not been entirely figured out so citizens cannot receive new certification with the new duration date just yet, the daily wrote, citing the Croatian Public Health Institute. Until this is resolved, only old COVID certificates will be available.

The duration of COVID certificates has already been extended in Croatia once, in September, from six to 12 months, but citizens are now more frequently opting for a booster.

Experts claim that there is no doubt that the third, booster dose, as well as an infection after inoculation or a new infection significantly increase immunity, possibly even longer than a year, the daily wrote.

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November the 10th, 2021 - If you've been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, here in Croatia, you can request your Croatian covid certificate, sometimes wrongly referred to as a ''passport''. Here's how you can do it, when you can do it, and how long they're now valid for.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, a Croatian covid certificate can be obtained by all individuals who have been vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca), or by persons who have been vaccinated with two doses of different vaccines which are to be received in two doses (for example, the person has received their first dose of AstraZeneca, and their second vaccine was Pfizer).

Croatian covid certificates can also be obtained by those who have been vaccinated with a single dose vaccine (Janssen). In all of the above cases, the certificate will be valid for 365 days from the day of the second dose vaccination, or their first, if they've had the Janssen vaccine. In the case of the Janssen vaccine, people may request confirmation no sooner than the fifteenth day after having received their vaccine.

Individuals vaccinated with the first dose of the two-dose vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) may request confirmation on day 22 following the first dose of the vaccine. The certificate will be valid for 42 days from the date of administration of the vaccine. It will then be renewed and bumped up to one year of validity following their second dose.

People vaccinated with the first dose of the other vaccine given in two doses (AstraZeneca) can ask for confirmation on the 22nd day after receiving the first dose of the vaccine. The certificate will be valid for 84 days from the date of administration of the vaccine. It will then be renewed and bumped up to one year of validity following their second dose.

Croatian covid certificates can also be requested by persons who have been vaccinated with one dose of the vaccine received in two doses (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca) and who have proof of a positive PCR test in the past 180 days from the day of receiving the vaccine. They can request a certificate from the day of vaccination, and the certificate will be valid for 365 days from the day of receipt of the vaccine as long as they can present proof of them having contracted and recovered from the virus as stated.

Persons who have received a booster dose or a third dose of a vaccine typically received in two doses may request a new Croatian covid certificate which will be valid from the day of their vaccination with their booster, which will then be valid for 365 days.

People who have been vaccinated with a single dose vaccine (Janssen) and then received an additional booster dose of another vaccine (one which is typically received in two doses) can request a new certificate from the date of their booster, and that document will be valid for 365 days in this case as well.

These rules apply to all vaccines for which a Croatian covid certificate can currently be issued.

You can obtain your certificate at any Croatian pharmacy by presenting proof of your vaccination and showing a form of photo ID. If you have access to e-Gradjani (as a resident), you can also obtain it that way.

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ZAGREB, 7 Nov 2021 - The Homeland Movement (DP) party on Sunday condemned the plan to require COVID certificates and testing for entry into the Croatian Parliament building, saying that under the Constitution power derives from the people and not from the national coronavirus response team.

"The Homeland Movement considers the announced violent introduction of so-called COVID certificates and testing in the Croatian Parliament by a para-state body called the national response team as the nullification of the will of the people expressed in elections and the most dangerous encroachment yet upon basic human and political freedoms, civil rights and the most important values of Croatian parliamentary democracy," the party said in a statement.

The DP said that decisions by the national coronavirus response team can by no means be above Croatian laws, in particular the Constitution, condemning any form of segregation of citizens on any grounds, including on the grounds of whether someone has been vaccinated or not.

"Despite the media hype and censorship, it is an undeniable fact that the virus is spread both by people who have been vaccinated and by those who have not, so this cannot be used as an argument by the response team to nullify the will of the people," the statement said.

The party said that relevant studies questioned the efficiency of the vaccines and that this was also confirmed by case numbers. "We are not saying that the vaccine helps or does not help, but why are those who are imposing it by force not willing to accept responsibility in the event of possible side-effects?"

The Homeland Movement expects the president of the republic, church dignitaries, and all members of Parliament, regardless of their ideological views, to oppose this "violent act that is being prepared."

"Those who fail this test must be aware that by doing so they take their part of historic responsibility for nullifying the fundamental values on which the modern and democratic Croatia is based," the party said.

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November 5, 2021 - Among the new measures announced due to the rise in positive cases in the country, Davor Božinović announced that COVID certificates will be introduced as of January 4, and if the situation does not improve, they will only be valid for those who have recovered and/or vaccinated.

The National Civil Protection Headquarters announced when a new record of 6,932 new cases was broken in Croatia, that the use of covid certificates will be expanded from November 15, which will be mandatory for users and employees of public and state services, and gatherings will be further restricted from tomorrow, reports Index.hr.

From tomorrow new measures for gatherings

"To prevent the spread of the infection, it is necessary to act in three directions: to achieve as much vaccination as possible, to limit gatherings and to achieve as much security as possible when conducting business that will not be limited," said National Staff Chief Davor Bozinovic at a press conference.

He announced that new epidemiological measures would be introduced as a result, gatherings would be restricted from tomorrow, and the use of covid certificates would be expanded from 15 November.

Thus, a certificate of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test from mid-November will be mandatory for all employees of state and public services, as well as for citizens who will use their services and come to their premises. 

If the numbers continue to grow, from November 15, confirmations for cafes, shopping centers ...

The Headquarters announced on Thursday that covid certificates will be used even more widely from mid-November if the number of newly infected continues to grow, and then they will be introduced in catering facilities, such as cafes, restaurants, gyms, recreational and fitness centers indoors. 

Bozinovic announced that testing will be possible only in registered institutions and that, for a start, the cost of testing will be borne by the employer at the request of employees. 

As of January 4, certificates only for those vaccinated and those who have survived COVID-19

He pointed out that, if the situation does not improve, they will introduce covid-certificates from January 4, which will be available only to those who have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19, and those who have been tested will no longer receive them.

"That gap has been left because it is enough time for all those who have not been vaccinated to get vaccinated by the beginning of next year," Bozinovic said. 

Details of new measures

With a new decision coming into force tomorrow, Saturday, November 6, the headquarters further restricted gatherings indoors and outdoors.

From tomorrow, all public gatherings indoors with more than 50 people are prohibited, except for those attended by people who have a covid-certificate, but from now on it will be mandatory to wear masks and maintain distance. 

Events above 100 participants can only be organized at open-air public gatherings if all participants have an EU digital covid-certificate. Exceptionally, events over 100 people will be able to be held outdoors only with the approval of the CNIPH, which will develop an epidemiological framework. 

All gatherings are limited to 24 hours, with the exception of cinema screenings that begin at 11 pm and wedding ceremonies where everyone has a covid confirmation. The weddings must end no later than 2 o'clock after midnight, and they will consider additional time limits, announced Božinović. 

Congresses and conferences will be able to be held provided everyone has a Covid certificate, wears a mask, and keeps a distance.

Sports competitions will be able to be held in the presence of spectators indoors only if everyone has a Covid certificate and is required to use face masks. Sports participants will also have to have certificates, but they will not have to wear masks, Bozinovic said.

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ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - Health Minister Vili Beroš announced on Thursday that the national COVID-19 crisis management team would introduce a new package of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, including wider use of COVID certificates, but there would not be a new lockdown.

"We are completely clear that we must react. A new package of measures is being hammered out and it will be presented at a press conference tomorrow. Epidemiologists will this time again put forward measures which will be agreed on with the goal of preventing the spread of the infection, a further rise in the number of new cases, and ensuring the stability of the health system," Beroš told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

He confirmed that the new measures included a wider use of COVID certificates, although he "certainly hopes that we wouldn't need a COVID certificate to go for a coffee or to a shopping center".

"There are a number of other measures with which we can try to prevent the further spread of the virus. We'll see everything tomorrow," said Beroš, noting that the new measures sought to strike a balance between restrictions and normal life.

He underscored that the citizens who had been vaccinated had been taken into account in the new package of measures.

"There cannot be a new lockdown. Those who are truly protected, those who have recovered from the infection and been vaccinated, we cannot restrict their lives," Beroš said.

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October the 29th, 2021 - Croatian employers would gladly introduce covid certification presentation as a mandatory move but cannot under current Croatian law. As a result, they're seeking two important things from the state.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, many Croatian employers claim they're overwhelmed and irritated waiting around for the state to finally define the rules around covid certificates, which they would like to introduce them at workplaces and thus join the health and social care system which already have the same rule, but Croatian employers cannot do that because they have no legal basis to introduce it.

The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) has therefore asked the relevant ministries to issue instructions to employers, which would answer numerous inquiries and concerns about covid certificates owned by their workers, and provide some clear guidelines on how to organise further business given the negative epidemiological situation and the number of workers who are unwell and in self-isolation. They are also asking the state to cover the costs of testing for the novel virus.

Despite the recommendations of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (CNIPH), Croatian employers currently have no legal basis to ask their employees to present a covid certificate, nor to remove them from the workplace if he doesn't produce one,'' they explained from HUP.

Namely, Resolution 2361 (2021) is in force across EU member states, which stipulates that people must be informed that vaccination against the novel coronavirus isn't mandatory, and that there's no political or any other pressure or discrimination to be placed on those who don't want to receive the vaccine. In addition, as the vaccine against coronavirus is not on the list of mandatory vaccines for the Republic of Croatia, there are no obligations or sanctions for refusing vaccination.

Croatian employers are obliged, according to the recommendations of the CNIPH, to finance all the testing of their workers, if necessary. The state pays this only to the health and social care sectors, which HUP considers to be discrimination. HUP therefore sent a request to the competent institutions asking for coronavirus tests be provided to all Croatian employers in an equal way.

"We believe that it's inconceivable and unfair to all other companies to make some sort of difference based on the protection of the health of employees by sector, and by belonging to the public or private sector. All of the above leads to legal uncertainty, and consequently the inability to organise business in a healthy working atmosphere. This situation requires urgent action by state institutions in the form of issuing clear guidelines to employers that would ensure the protection of their workers and the legal operations of Croatian employers during the pandemic,'' they concluded from HUP.

At the time of writing this article, they hadn't yet received answers from the authorities.

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ZAGREB, 4 Oct 2021 - The Croatian Chamber of Physicians said on Monday it supported mandatory COVID certificates in the health sector as a measure that would contribute to patients' safety, adding that protests against them in or near hospitals disrupted the peace patients need for their treatment.

The chamber said patients' health and safety should come first to all health workers, adding that 95% of physicians had either been vaccinated against coronavirus or recovered from COVID.

The chamber said it was confident the few doctors and a minority of other health workers who had not would be tested every week, adding that regular testing was part of the measures introduced in line with the law protecting the population from infectious diseases and rules preventing hospital infections.

There is no acceptable justification to refuse testing because that directly harms the safety of patients, the chamber said.

Chamber of Nurses distances itself from protesting members

The Croatian Chamber of Nurses too said it supported the decision on mandatory COVID certificates in the health sector, distancing itself from a dozen of its members who protested outside several hospitals this morning against mandatory certificates and testing.

Several dozen nurses are protesting outside hospitals against measures preventing COVID-19 instead of honoring medical rules, getting tested, and working with patients, the chamber said, adding that 72% of nurses have been vaccinated, plus those that have recovered from COVID.

The chamber said it was unacceptable of individuals outside the health sector to attempt to use the situation and manipulate workers in the sector, and once again called on the nurses who have not been vaccinated yet to do so as soon as possible.

About 50 protesters booed Health Minister Vili Beroš outside the KBC Zagreb hospital this morning.

Outside the KBC Split hospital, a group of disgruntled citizens and several hospital staff insulted the hospital director and grabbed some physicians by the arm.

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September the 27th, 2021 - An enormous amount of Croatian covid certificates have been issued to residents of the country so far, proving that the holder is fully vaccinated against the novel virus, that they have contracted and since recovered from it, or that they have had a recently issued negative test result.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, in a period of almost four months, no difficulties or errors in the work of issuing Croatian covid certificates were recorded, and residents who have been vaccinated, who have proof of recovery or who have a recent negative rest result managed to get their document with ease.

EU digital COVID certificates in the Republic of Croatia are currently issued by more than 8,500 unique issuers, of which 450 are employees of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), 4,000 employees of testing laboratories, inluding the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) and 4,500 employees of various pharmacies.

The application for Croatian covid certification is easy to use for both publishers and people who wanted to download their unique certificate themselves online. Positive experiences also resulted in increased interest in the e-Citizens (e-Gradjani) platform, whose number of users increased by 120,000 users over this period, and this time more than 600,000 of those people obtained their confirmation from the platform.

There is also great interest in the CovidGO mobile application (app), which has been downloaded from app stores more than 300,000 times to date. CovidGO is used to validate and store Croatian covid certificates in a digital wallet, and due to the growing number of requests for these certificates in everyday life, people naturally want an app that allows their document to be always at hand, securely stored in a digital wallet. That said, you can print yours, or download it and keep it on your phone without a need for the app.

The central information point when it comes to EU digital COVID certificates is still the website www.eudigitalnacovidpotvrda.hr, which has been visited by more than a million unique users since the 1st of June, 2021.

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