e May 8, 2020 - The Croatian Institute of Public Health published detailed recommendations for catering facilities in Croatia on Thursday morning as cafes and restaurants can re-open from Monday, May 11.

Index.hr reports that to prevent the spread of infection while visiting catering facilities with and without terraces, and catering facilities in accommodation facilities, it is necessary to ensure a physical distance between visitors and between visitors and employees.

Working hours from 6 am to 11 pm, and work will be allowed inside, as well

Organization of work: Working hours of catering facilities are possible from 6 hours to 23 hours. In the facilities, tables are kept empty until guests arrive, and utensils are served when guests sit down. Menus should be displayed at the entrance or another visible place, and in plastic, that is, classic forms of the menu should be removed. Visitors can be given a verbal recommendation, or something similar, to express the food and drinks offer.

Limit the total number of visitors: The limit on the number of visitors can be achieved by setting the tables 1.5 m apart. The entry of guests is regulated in such a way that the next visitor or group of visitors can enter only when the previous group of visitors leaves. The physical distance between individual groups of visitors must be at least 1.5 m. Tables should be arranged to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 m between the tables, or between different groups of guests. Organized groups of guests can sit at tables, and the distance between individual groups of guests in the facility must be at least 1.5 m. For example, members of one family sit 1.5 m away from another group of guests, even if it is a long table that is intended for seating multiple people.

Serving food and drink: Visitors can also order a meal or drink in the restaurant, which they will take with them and consume on the terrace or outdoors. When ordering, a physical distance of at least 1.5 m between customers waiting in line must be observed. It is possible to order and pick up food or drink at the bar without delay, i.e., you cannot stay at the bar. Also, it is possible to serve standing guests if they keep a physical distance, without high tables, with consumption by hand.

Employee that serves guests on the outside of the facility: One employee is appointed who serves a pre-determined number of tables to minimize the mixing of employees and guests. Between charging for the service and serving individual visitors, the employee must disinfect their hands.

Hotel policies

Special rules for catering facilities in accommodation facilities and others that serve buffet-style: In these facilities, it is recommended that visitors maintain a physical distance of 1.5 m during their stay, and especially when serving meals in a buffet manner, unless they are members of the same family when members of the same family don't need to maintain a distance during their stay in the restaurant. It is recommended that the buffet mode of serving be carried out so that there is a partition between the guests and the food and that one employee serves the guest's food according to their choice. Other measures of physical distance related to family or other groups of visitors who use the services in the group are the same as for all other catering facilities.

Health protection of visitors and staff; Refers to sales and staff service: Everyone should always have a disinfectant available to disinfect their hands periodically. If possible, it is recommended to provide a space of at least 1.5 m between the server or cashier and the customer when issuing goods and paying for goods, or if possible, install a protective barrier at the place of service and at the cash register, which will physically separate the cashier from the customer. Contactless payment by bank cards should be encouraged.

No handing out newspapers or serving snacks at the tables

Caterers should adhere to the highest hygiene standards and wash their hands with warm water and soap as often as possible with the use of hand sanitizer, certainly before serving guests to each new table. Adapted to the epidemiological situation, it is currently recommended that air conditioners be out of use and that the space be ventilated.

After the departure of each group of guests, the table, chairs, and other surfaces that the guests touched must be wiped with disinfectant, i.e., the tablecloths must be removed even if they are not visibly soiled.

It is forbidden to serve snacks in bowls, and salt/pepper, oil/vinegar, and other spices cannot be left on the tables, but new, previously washed or disinfected dishes are brought for each group of new guests.

The use of shared newspapers, magazines and other printed matter in catering establishments is prohibited.

Cleaning and disinfection of the space: At the entrance to the facility, visitors should be provided with a hand sanitizer dispenser and a clearly displayed notice that it is mandatory to disinfect hands when entering. Also, the entrance should clearly display a notice that it is mandatory to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 m between visitors and between visitors and staff. Door handles and handrails, handrail surfaces, and door edges on refrigerators, as well as other surfaces that are noticed to be frequently touched by customers, should be continuously wiped with alcohol-based disinfectant or other means according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Indoor areas where guests are staying should be regularly ventilated.

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

April 24, 2020 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced at Thursday’s government session that domestic air traffic in Croatia would soon resume as part of the loosened measures in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Namely, Avio Radar reports that Andrej Plenkovic announced that domestic flights in Croatia would resume from May 11, 2020. 

Croatian national carrier Croatia Airlines has been allegedly preparing to reinstate flights for some time, and there are several scenarios in the pipeline. However, the decision on which scenario to implement and which flights to introduce depends on several factors, including the prescribed measures of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, Croatia, the European Civil Aviation Agency, and with the agreement of airports. 

By this date, not all flights (destinations and frequency) in operation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic will return. 

Ex Yu Aviation reports that the General Manager of Brač Airport, Tonči Peović, said that flights from Zagreb to Split and Dubrovnik would be resumed first, and other domestic destinations later on. 

Recall, Croatia Airlines stopped domestic services in March, and while almost all of Croatia’s airports are still open, only Zagreb Airport is running commercial flights (i.e.,  the Croatia Airlines service to Frankfurt). 

Dubrovnik Airport is the only airport closed in Croatia and has been closed since March 19 after staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. The airport plans to reopen on May 2. 

A look at the new measures below:

PHASE 1 - April 27, 2020

- Ability to work for all business entities engaged in trade, except those operating within shopping centers

- Continuation of work to all business entities engaged in service activities, except those in which close contact with customers is observed, respecting physical distance measures (for example, carpenter, tailor, locksmith, travel agencies, photo studio)

- Introduction of public city and suburban transport lines and express lines for islands not connected by ferry

- Libraries, museums, galleries, antiques and bookstores to open

- Facilitating training of athletes I and II. categories in individual sports and senior sports teams competing in the highest level of competition

- Facilitating the state professional exam for priority groups of students

PHASE 2 - May 4, 2020

- Enabling the full operation of the public health system, with the exception of exceptions in line with the Ministry of Health measures

- Enabling the full operation of the private health system, with due regard for specific epidemiological measures

- Ability to work for all business entities engaged in service activities in which close contact with clients is observed, with respect to specific epidemiological measures (for example, hairdressers, beauticians, barbers, pedicurists)

PHASE 3 - May 11, 2020

- Gatherings of up to 10 people in one place allowed, while respecting physical distance measures

- Facilitating the operation of shopping malls while respecting specific epidemiological measures

- Facilitating the work of preschools and elementary classes from grades 1-4 and special classes and working with children with disabilities who have a teaching assistant

- Laboratory, artistic and clinical exercises and practical work allowed in small groups in higher education

- Introduction of inter-county and domestic air services

- Allowing catering facilities to work exclusively in outdoor areas and terraces

- Allowing catering facilities to work in accommodation facilities only for users of accommodation services

- Operation of national and nature parks allowed

- Expanding opportunities for issuing e-passes

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

April 20, 2020 -  In the last two days, the Civil Protection Headquarters in Croatia decided to extend some measures, while others have been loosened.

A look at the latest measures in Croatia, courtesy of Index.hr.

Extended measures:

- Measures to ban the assembly and operation of facilities such as cafes and non-food shops and a range of activities are being extended (extended until May 4)

- The decision on how to hold a funeral is extended. Funerals continue to be held exclusively within the immediate family and representatives of the religious community, subject to precautionary measures, no music, flowers or candles, and obituaries may not contain information on the time and place of the funeral (extended until May 4)

- The decision on measures for marriage and life partnership is extended. Weddings continue to take place within the immediate family and officials or representatives of the religious community, with respect to precautions, none of the participants should have a fever or symptoms of acute respiratory infection, and wedding ceremonies are prohibited (extended until May 4).

- Children's and sports fields continue to be closed (extended until May 4)

- Mooring ships in international navigation subject to quarantine or self-isolation measures are prohibited (extended until 18 May)

- The decision on border crossings for the transit traffic of freight vehicles is extended without organized convoys (extended until 18 May).

Loosened measures:

- Intra-county passes will be lifted IF requested by the counties and movement in these counties will occur smoothly, while passes will still be needed to move from one county to another.

- Zadar ferry from Ancona, which was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, will resume operations from April 26 twice a week for freight only (more here)

- Truck convoys entering Croatia have been terminated, drivers at the border will be informed that they are allowed to drive only on motorways and stop only at specific places.

Example of E-passes 

The National Civil Protection Headquarters accepted the proposal of the Split-Dalmatia County Civil Protection Headquarters to eliminate e-passes, while previous measures are in force for the islands, with the exception that the e-pass is not required to move from one administrative unit to another on the island.

The head of the National Civil Protection Headquarters and the Minister of the Interior, Davor Bozinovic, on Sunday signed a decision to eliminate the necessary measure to ban movement from permanent residence and permanent residence in the area of ​​Split-Dalmatia County.

Thus, as of April 19, the said measure for the entire county, except for the islands, has been lifted.

This means that persons residing or permanently residing in an island area can only leave the island with an issued e-pass. Also, for persons who do not have a residence or permanent residence in the Split-Dalmatia County island area, arrival on the island is possible only with an issued e-pass.

As of Monday, April 20, 2020, the e-pass is required only to go to the territory of another county or/and to the islands, that is, to an island in Split-Dalmatia County.

See the decision below:

You find information on your county HERE

What could soon be lifted?

At the next government session, the ministers will propose what measures should be lifted for the economy to recover. This is followed by an epidemiological assessment for each of these requirements and then a discussion of what is estimated to be no epidemiological risk. A few days ago, Minister Beros said he hoped some measures could be loosened as early as next weekend.

Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Minister Darko Horvat said a few days ago that he is sure that smaller crafts such as hairdressers can start working if shops can work. There were also references to tech shops, service shops, showrooms, but also bookstores.

It is also possible that some of these measures will be lifted in those counties where the epidemiological situation is better.

Capak announced the possibility of returning public transport but did not say how long.

"At some point, we will release public transportation, but not as it has been so far - with strict behavioral measures prescribed," Capak said.

There are also plans to open catering facilities and other services, and they will need to be organized with strict epidemiological measures.

"Hairdressers cannot use social distancing, but they can have protective equipment and disinfect everything they do. When the epidemiological situation permits, hairdressers will start working as well," Capak said.

Follow TCN's live updates on the corona crisis in Croatia 

April. 19, 2020 - Will there be any tourism this summer? This is the golden question being asked not only in Croatia, but also in the rest of Europe. However, according to the first signs, Croatia could profit as an auto-destination thanks to its proximity to central Europe.

"This tourist summer will certainly be completely different from everything we've known so far," says the president of the Alliance of German Tour Operators, Norbert Fiebig, in an interview with Tagesspiegel. He predicts that unless travel restrictions are lifted, many will be spending this summer at one of Germany's tourist centers, Deutsche Welle writes and Slobodna Dalmacija reports.

If the borders do open at all, the goal for European tourists will be to European countries - and in this sense, the closer, the better. Croatia, which is only a few hours away by car from southern Germany, could certainly reap the benefits of this. 

"And in European countries that have carried out the second phase of combating the spread of the infection, travel will be possible under certain security conditions," says Fiebig.

TUI, Europe's largest tour operator, is signaling that they are ready to organize trips as soon as the countries in question give the green light.

"TUI is currently in talks with the governments of many tourist countries, which are preparing during the pandemic so that guests can return as soon as possible," TUI said when asked by AFP.

The position of German Foreign Minister Heik Maas also argues in favor of the theory that tourists will initially choose destinations closer to home.

"Of course, as soon as circumstances change, we will allow travel. But I can only lift the warnings if I am sure that citizens will be able to return to Germany on a regular basis," Maas said, pointing to a substantial, complicated (and expensive) action of returning German tourists home from different parts of the world.

Fortunately, destinations in the Mediterranean, such as Croatia, because of their proximity, do not fall into the category of countries in which return flights need to be organized.

These aspects, according to Norbert Kunz of the German Tourism Association, could, in the future, play an increasing role in choosing a holiday destination. For him, the important question is whether tourists will want to stay near their homes in the future in order to risk as little as possible in case they need to return home quickly.

"What role does safety play, including medical safety, in the place where we spend our holidays? These are all issues that we will deal with more intensely in the future," Kunz tells public service ARD. The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic could have far-reaching consequences for tourists, Deutsche Welle writes.

As far as the future is concerned, Kunz believes that the tourism industry will certainly not come into full operation this year but only next summer. The same is true in Spain, where the government has told tourism workers that the industry, if at all, will only be able to count on activating demand at the end of the year. But Kunz is optimistic in the long run:

"The citizens' longing to travel abroad will continue to exist. That is not out of the question."

In other news, Jutarnji List reports that Austria could allow tourists from Germany and other countries where the coronavirus is under control to visit Austria in the summer, Tourism Minister Elisabeth Koestinger said on Saturday.

German tourists accounted for more than 30 percent of arrivals last summer in Austria, according to official statistics.

The share of tourism in Austria's GDP is one of the largest in the EU.

"Freedom to travel will remain limited in the coming months.

However, if countries are successful (in the fight against the coronavirus), such as Germany, there is a real chance of bilateral agreements," Koestinger told the Saturday edition of the Austrian newspaper Die Presse.

Conservative Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz said Austrians should consider vacationing in their country to help the economy.

"However, without foreign tourists, we will have to bear the losses," Koestinger added.

By the end of April, the government plans to present a plan for the gradual opening of the restaurant and tourism sectors.

From Tuesday, garden centers and retail spaces of less than 400 square meters have were opened in Austria, which, as well as larger shops, though masks are required.

Masks are also mandatory in public transport and in taxis.

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

April 11, 2020 - You can now track Central Dalmatia COVID-19 cases on the official website, but there is one thing to bear in mind if you do. 

It is just 33 days - and yet several lifetimes ago - since TCN produced the first corona map of Croatia on March 9, 2020. 

I like to look at it from time to time - things didn't seem too bad back then, did they?

The response was huge, and it is the second-most popular article on TCN this year after the Zagreb earthquake. 

And, as with most of the good stuff on TCN, the first corona map of Croatia had nothing to do with me. 

"You know what is hot right now?" asked my clever Venezuelan colleague, Gustavo Vilera. "Corona maps. People want to see where the cases are. There is no corona map of Croatia."

Since I have no idea how to add text to a picture, the likelihood of me designing a corona map was less than zero, but my wife is much better at these things and most other things as well. 

Working on her iPad and without any sophisticated software, she produced a very credible effort, which she updated daily for us until Index and then Koronavirus started doing theirs. 

Since then, more maps have followed, and I came across the latest one I was unaware of last night after I received several panicked messages from people on Hvar and Solta. 

Does Solta have corona? Are there really four cases on Hvar?

I had no idea where they got this information from, and so I opened the link they sent, which is from the regional Stozer. And there it was - a Central Dalmatia COVID-19 map. 

With four cases on Hvar and one on Solta, as well as a second on Brac.

Really?

My information (and although I follow things very closely, including the putting the Index live updates on TCN part of the time, I do not have official access to any offline info) is that there is currently one case in Supetar on Brac, and one case in Jelsa. The Jelsa case is someone who was recently repatriated from Austria, I understand, and is now in isolation. The question why people who are returning are not put in isolation for 14 days in one place and fed and looked after if they have no money - surely we have enough empty hotels and such a policy will be much cheaper than dealing with an infection in their communities - is perhaps not one for me to ask, so I won't. 

With my local knowledge and further investigation online, I think I have the explanation - and some good news for all three islands. 

The site states that there are four cases on Hvar - two in Jelsa, one in Stari Grad, and one in Hvar Town. The one in Hvar Town has recovered, according to the site. 

There has only been one case on Hvar until this latest one in Jelsa. That was in Vrboska, and I was VERY happy to report a week ago that the patient had been very responsible in his self-isolation and made a full recovery. 

Perhaps the fact that the case was in Vrboska but is showing in Hvar Town meant that things were being recorded not where the virus was striking, but in the place of residence of the patient. If the ID card said Hvar Town, then it would be recorded in Hvar Town. 

And it seems that this is what is happening from a comment I saw from the Stari Grad Fire Service.

The Hvar case was indeed Vrboska. Two of the cases are from the nursing home in Split, leaving just the one case in Jelsa. It seems from the comment above that Solta is also corona-free, and that there is only the one case on Brac. 

But I must stress that I am not privy to official information. But if this is the case, and I know resources are stretched, it would be greatly appreciated by many I think, if the Central Dalmatia COVID-19 map reflects the actual cases and not where the patients are registered. 

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

April 10, 2020 - Most shops and shopping malls will be closed on Easter and Easter Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic and because of their usual holiday hours. A look at where you can shop around Croatia this weekend.

Aware that there will be an increased need to go to the store to prepare for Easter Sunday, the opening hours of shops have been extended, from 7am to 8pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, instead of 7am to 5pm, while the coronavirus pandemic lasts. 

Minister Davor. Bozinovic told a news conference that the shops would be open from 7am to 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, before Easter, so that citizens could buy whatever they needed and avoid crowds.

During the holidays, on Easter (April 12) and Easter Monday (April 13), most retail chains in Croatia will work shortened hours or be closed.

Konzum stores will also be closed on Easter Sunday and Monday. The same is true for Lidl, who has announced that all their stores in Croatia will be closed on Easter and Easter Monday. Grocery stores will also be closed for Easter and Easter Monday.

Retail chain Pevex has also decided on opening hours, announcing that they will not be working on Easter and Easter Monday.

Spar shops will be open on Easter Monday, but until 5pm.

Kaufland's stores will be closed for Easter and will work shortened hours on Easter Monday, from 8am to 5pm.

The same is true of Plodine stores, whose outlets will only work on Easter Monday, but until 5pm.

Tommy stores will not work on Easter or Easter Monday, just like KTC.

Arena Center will not work on Easter, and on Easter Monday, shops exempted from the restriction on work will be open. Mueller does not work on Easter and on Easter Monday is open from 8am to 2pm.

The shops at Avenue Mall that are open are listed on this link.

The City Center One East and City Center One West shopping centers in Zagreb and City Center One in Split will be closed on Easter, and on Easter Monday, the centers will be open from 8am to 2pm.

Veronika and dm will be closed and Müller will be open from 8am to 2pm.

The Westgate Shopping Center will also not be open on Easter or Easter Monday.

Supernova Center Zagreb - Buzin, will not work for Easter or Easter Monday, except for Insterspar, which will be open from 8am to 5pm on Monday.

GardenMall will also be open on Monday from 8am to 5pm. Supernova Karlovac will operate as well as GardenMall, while Supernova in Zadar, Supernova Colosseum in Slavonski Brod, Supernova Šibenik, Supernova Sisak West & East will be closed on Easter and Easter Monday (except Spar and Mueller).

Grocery stores in Supernova Varaždin shopping malls will be open on Easter Monday from 8am to 5pm, and Supernova Koprivnica from 8am to 5pm.

Mall of Split will also not be working on Easter, while on Easter Monday, it will be open part-time from 8/9am to 3/5pm (you can see the list of shops here).

Lumini in Varaždin will be closed on Easter and Easter Monday.

Source: 24 Sata

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

April 8, 2020 - According to projections from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, Croatia is set to reach its peak on April 20.

Index.hr reports that during the worst week of April 18-25, an average of seven citizens could die every day, according to these projections. By August 4, there will be 166 victims of the pandemic. 

The death toll depends on the capacity of the health systems

The University of Washington experts say the death toll depends on the capacity of health systems. In that sense, Croatia is doing well. According to the projected pandemic, Croatian patients should occupy 255 hospital beds at the height of the infection, out of the six and a half thousand in our health care system. A similar situation is with beds in intensive care units with a capacity of 216. And according to IHME's prediction, at the height of the crisis in Croatia, 61 patients will be in intensive care.

According to the most pessimistic estimates, more than 20 patients will die in the country during the peak period

These estimates represent the mean, but in the worst-case scenario predicted by IHME in Croatia, more than 20 patients would die daily during the peak of the pandemic. Even in such a black scenario, Croatia would have enough beds and ventilators, thus positioning Croatia better than many more developed and wealthier countries.

Estimates for some developed countries are not optimistic.

Otherwise, one of the worst estimates is for the UK, where more than 100,000 beds will be needed at worst times, with fewer than 18,000 available. Therefore, more than 66,000 people are expected to die there in August. The United States will miss 36,654 beds and the peak of the crisis will come on April 15, when more than 3,000 will die.

There should be just over 150,000 deaths across Europe, with 81,766 lives lost in the United States.

You can see the COVID-19 projections in Croatia HERE

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

April 2, 2020 - Will the main tourist season be saved in Croatia? A look at the country's biggest market - Germany. 

Goran Rihelj of HRTurizam writes that at present, the main hope of the tourism sector is that at least part of the peak tourist season will be salvaged in Croatia, especially for private renters, in order to generate at least some tourist traffic and earn some profit.

But the current state of the coronavirus development tells us that it is not realistic to expect any tourist activity this year, let alone in the main tourist season. 

Germany has traditionally been Croatia’s primary market, and so it was last year. The total turnover in 2019 (overnights) is dominated by the German market (19.5%), followed by the domestic market (12.73%), and Slovenia (10%) and Austria (7%).

If we look at the current situation around the coronavirus, where we have more questions and assumptions than answers, we can very optimistically expect that we will still get some tourist traffic in the main tourist season.

All 16 regions in Germany have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and as of March 31, 2020, in Germany, there are 62,000 coronavirus cases and 583 deaths, according to the Robert Koch RKI Institute. The regions most affected are Hamburg, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

Scientists from the universities of Mainz and Hamburg and an interdisciplinary research group have developed an "optimistic scenario" about the early development of the coronavirus pandemic in Germany.

According to Maniz economics professor Klaus Wälde, who co-authored the study, Germany is currently just at the beginning of the pandemic, which is expected to peak in June, while full recovery is expected in Germany or August or September.

According to the study, the coronavirus pandemic in Germany is not expected to end before August or September, reports Swr.de

The data are "rough and optimistic forecasts", the scientists explained in the study's conclusion, as key issues related to the coronavirus pandemic have not yet been addressed and, there are too many assumptions. In Austria, there are currently 10,366 coronavirus cases and 146 deaths, and in Slovenia 802 cases and 15 deaths.

A survey by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce conducted among family accommodation providers found that over 90 percent of them feel the effects of the coronavirus on business in the form of reduced reservations, and 60 percent estimate their current financial damage at up to HRK 50,000.

More than 2200 family accommodation providers, mostly from Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Split-Dalmatia and Istria counties, participated in the survey. As many as 94 percent of them offer accommodation only, only 3 percent are bed and breakfast, and only 2 percent are rural tourism.

Also, the survey reveals that Germany is a key market for three-quarters of renters surveyed.

Although Croatia is an auto destination (78% of guests arrive by car, 15% by air, 4% by bus / Tomas Summer 2017) in the current situation, where we are all in self-isolation, where borders are closed, and air traffic is grounded, it is difficult to expect a quick opening of borders and any tourist activity. Ultimately, no one knows exactly how long this situation will last, and only then does the loosening of measures and the gradual opening of borders begin.

If we look at the "optimistic" estimates of the study from Germany, Rihelj says; unfortunately, we can hardly expect that there will be any tourist activity in the main tourist season. Although, of course, everyone in tourism is hoping that there will still be tourism activities, realistic estimates and logic tell us that tourism will only recover in the spring of 2021. There are also many factors, as well as too many unknowns about the coronavirus, so it is extremely difficult to plan and predict anything.

Rihelj concludes by saying when the whole situation calms, we still do not know whether the coronavirus will return at the beginning of winter this year, i.e., whether it will remain or just disappear as SARS, and whether scientists will find a cure. Looking at the current bigger picture, unfortunately, tourism can expect an awakening only from next year, and of course not in the same numbers as it has so far.

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

March 30, 2020 - On Sunday night, Croatians around the county supported health professionals, the police, the military and anyone sacrificing their health for citizens. At 8 pm, Croatians clapped and sang, perhaps its most famous patriotic song, ‘Moja Domovina’.

As Croatia is on lockdown and citizens are limited with movement, there isn't much we can do apart from heading to the store or pharmacy. Our day to day lives are much quieter, as we're mostly confined to the walls of our homes to obey the most important global message - "stay home".

Things looked a bit different on Sunday night, however, and balconies around the country were the most happening place to be. 

Namely, Croatians took to their balconies and windowsills at 8 pm on Sunday evening for thunderous applause and a group rendition of ‘Moja Domovina’ (My Homeland), which lasted about fifteen minutes. In this way, they symbolically thanked all health professionals, the National Civil Protection Headquarters, the police, the military, and all those making sacrifices under challenging times for the benefit of all.

One 11-year-old Ema Music played 'Moja Domovina’ on the piano from her balcony. The young Solin native is in her third year of the Josip Hatze School of Music, reports Dalmatinski Portal.

“When she heard on the news that everyone would pay homage to all those who were tirelessly fighting the coronavirus at 8 pm, she began to learn the song. So, it was just two hours before the performance. She asked us to bring the piano to the balcony. She was very proud that she, at least with her performance, contributed to the fight against the coronavirus. Her heart is like a house in the hope that her video will reach those who need it most,” said proud mom Nives.

A complication of videos from various parts of Dalmatia.

Source: Dalmacija Danas, Dalmatinski Portal

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

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.