As Morski writes on the 20th of June, 2020, the recommendations provided by the Croatian Institute of Public Health relate to the implementation of the necessary measures when travelling on yachts, boats and other vessels, and have been given in order to protect the crew and their passengers with respect to adhering to the measure of maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres.

Recommendations for the implementation of general hygiene measures:

It is necessary to place a clear notice of the obligation to comply with general hygiene measures and physical distance measures for all passengers entering a vessel, before or immediately after entry, in a visible place as well as in the cabins.

Passenger registration:

Passengers should be encouraged to use as many online and mobile applications as possible for their registration and booking so as to reduce the need for physical contact.

Hand disinfection:

At the entrance to the vessels and at the entrances to saloons, the wheelhouse and crew cabins, it is necessary to have dispensers with disinfectant (based either on alcohol or another agent safe for use on human skin with its declared virucidal action and manufacturer, and in a concentration of no less than 70 percent) with a notice of the obligation for passengers to disinfect their hands on arrival. These dispensers should be placed in the corridors where the accommodation units are located, such as near the stairs, at the main guest door and at the entrance to the wheelhouse and crew cabins.

Physical distance:

It is necessary to follow the rules of maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres.

Cleaning and maintenance:

Surfaces that are frequently touched, such as handles, handrails, light switches etc, need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. The proper instructions for cleaning and disinfection are available here.

The need for additional disinfection measures may arise in the case of the transport of persons suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus or suffering from any highly contagious viral disease. The proper recommendations are available via this link from the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Hygiene and ventilation of the passenger compartment:

The interior of the passenger compartment must be regularly cleaned and disinfected after each voyage, during anchoring or docking in a port. Surfaces that are touched often, such as the head and armrests, light switches, window panes and door handles, should be frequently wiped down with disinfectant. The interior must be regularly ventilated when sailing, anchoring or docking in a port. The use of air conditioners and heating should be avoided.

Isolating the captain's seat:

If it doesn't already exist, the Croatian Institute of Public Health has recommended to set up a physical barrier between the captain's seat and the passengers (made of Plexiglas or something similar), and if that isn't possible, then there will be a need to instruct passengers to respect the rules of physical distance.

Physical distance between places for sitting and lying down:

Separate the deckchairs in such a way so as to ensure physical separation and disinfect the deckchairs several times per day, after a certain passenger is no longer using a deckchair and when another passenger wants to use it. If the spaces on the vessel provide for other seats, they should also be arranged at a distance of 1.5 metres.

Air conditioners, heating and ventilation (HVAC):

When using ventilation and air conditioning systems, pay special attention to monitoring the condition of the filter and maintaining the correct condition of the air exchange rate indoors. The proper functioning of ventilation and air exchange equipment should be checked according to common protocols. Ventilation with an increased percentage of outdoor air circulating within the system and a recirculation-free mode are recommended to encourage air changes that reduce the concentration of potentially infectious pathogens.

Water supply:

The functioning of water-related infrastructure for human consumption should be carried out in the usual way.

Sanitary facilities:

It is necessary to ensure the more frequent cleaning, disinfection and, if possible, ventilation of sanitary facilities. Passengers need to be provided with the means for proper hand hygiene and disinfection.

Food and beverage service areas and trade facilities on yachts and other vessels:

Shops and catering facilities on yachts and boats should operate in accordance with the decisions of the Civil Protection Headquarters.

The instructions for the operation of stores are available here.
The instructions for catering facilities are available here.

Staff awareness:

Before starting work, the crew and staff must be educated about all the measures that are being implemented by the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Reduced crew contact with passengers:

Vessel crew members should avoid close contact with passengers, and when communicating with them and other staff, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate distance (1.5 metres). After handling luggage, it is necessary to disinfect your hands.

Face masks:

Inside enclosed spaces of the vessel, it has been recommended that staff wear medical masks or face masks that cover their mouths and noses. Protective masks and disinfectants for employees must be provided by the employer.

Crew health monitoring by daily temperature measurement:

Before starting work, all crew members must measure their temperatures in the morning and cannot start working if it is higher than 37.2 ° C and/or they have respiratory problems. In case of the development of a fever and/or respiratory problems with or without a fever, employees need to contact their employer and their competent family doctor by phone. They cannot start working until the cause of their respiratory issues or fever is determined.

Passenger records:

The Croatian Institute of Public Health has recommended that staff keep records of passenger contacts and passenger entries and exits, so that in case of the detection of a sick person on board, territorially competent epidemiologists can identify and inform the patient's contacts as soon as possible and implement the proper measures to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus infection.

Procedures in case of symptoms indicative of the new coronavirus:

Crew/staff must advise a person displaying symptoms of respiratory disease or fever to stay in their cabins, with the door closed; offer them a surgical mask and tissues in sufficient quantity and instruct them not to leave the room and to contact members of staff by phone if necessary.

Guests who are part of the same group or the same family must also stay in their cabins until returning to the nearest port.

Staff are advised not to enter a cabin where a person suspected of having a SARS-CoV-2 infection is staying, and other guests should be instructed that their bed linen replacement and cabin cleaning will not take place at normal intervals and in the usual manner. In such cases, each guest must maintain the cleanliness of his or her living space on his or her own.

For more on coronavirus and the Croatian Institute of Public Health, follow our dedicated section.

As N1 writes on the 28th of May, 2020, the Croatian Institute of Public Health recently published its recommendations for how weddings should be held, stating that the maximum number of people that can be present indoors is 300, and in open spaces - 500.

"The ban on public events and gatherings consisting of more than 40 people has now been lifted, and from today on, the number of people who can be present at certain public events and gatherings will be determined by the recommendations and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, along with other anti-epidemic measures," they write.

This means that in the future, it will be possible to organise weddings as well as funerals that could also have been organised throughout the duration of the anti-epidemic measures, but when only a few people were allowed to participate in them.

Changes for weddings

The Croatian Institute of Public Health has published detailed recommendations for how weddings should be arranged. As expected, some of the recommendations remain standard - reminding people about maintaining a high level of personal hygiene and keeping a distance of a metre and a half between each other. The use of masks for staff serving people at weddings has also been recommended.

As for the maximum number of people allowed to gather at weddings, it depends on the size of the space. However, there are maximum numbers listed. Up until June the 15th, 100 people were allowed to gather indoors and 150 could gather outdoors. As of June the 15th onwards, those figures rise respectively to 200 and 250. And as of July the 1st, they'll rise again to 300 and 500, respectively.

More detailed recommendations for holding weddings celebrations have been published.

"When inviting guests, the organisers and the newlyweds must inform the guests about the measures in place and give them instructions and information. It is recommended that guests over the age of 65 or those suffering from chronic diseases are not invited to the wedding celebrations," the notice reads.

Distance on the dance floor

An interesting take on Sophie Ellis-Bextor's hit, you might think, but it's a bit more serious than that. The Croatian Institute of Public Health has also recommended that all seats be marked at the beginning. People, it is stated in the recommendations, should not gather in groups, but should go to their own places immediately upon entering the hall.

"It has been recommended that guests sitting in the farthest part of the room when looking in from the position of the door enter first. It is recommended that guests from the same household be seated at the same table. It is also recommended that the seating arrangement be accurate and unchanged during the entire wedding celebration,'' they state in the recommendation.

As for musical performances, a distance of four metres between the audience and the performer is recommended.

Special instructions have also been prescribed for the keeping a distance on the dance floor

"The number of people who can stay on the dance floor at the same time depends on the size of the podium and it is recommended to provide a space of four square metres per person. During more intense dances and similar activities, it is recommended that people maintain a physical distance of two metres, except between people who are members of the same household or those are usually in close contact,'' they announced.

For more on coronavirus and the Croatian Institute of Public Health, follow our dedicated section.

May 16, 2020 - The Croatian Institute of Public Health has published recommendations for the prevention of COVID-19 in Croatia during professional art performances, cultural programs, and events.

HRTurizam reports the recommendations for the organization of artistic performances, cultural programs and outdoor events.

General recommendations: At the entrance to the premises, visitors, contractors and staff should be provided with a disinfectant or hand sanitizer and a clearly displayed notice of the obligation to disinfect hands. Also, it is necessary to place a notice in a visible place on the obligation to adhere to general hygiene measures and physical distancing measures.

For the entire duration of the stay on the premises, including arrival and departure, it is recommended to maintain a physical distance between persons (audience, performers and staff) of 1.5 meters. A distance of 2 meters is recommended between, and from, performers of singing sections and musicians with wind instruments. A distance of 4 meters between the audience and the performers on stage is recommended.

It is recommended to mark in advance all seating and standing places at least 1.5 meters apart, and to limit the entrance to a maximum of as many visitors as there are marked places. It is recommended to provide only seating indoors.

When coughing and sneezing, the mouth and nose are covered with an elbow or a tissue, which should then be discarded in the waste bin with a lid and the hands should be disinfected. When coughing and sneezing, the face should be turned away from other people.

The maximum number of visitors who can stay indoors and outdoors at the same time, concerning the recommended physical distance of 1.5 meters among visitors, will be determined by the organizer according to the size of the space and the type of event. In case of need for additional explanations or organization of events with a larger number of participants, they will request approval from the Ministry of Culture, which will consult the Croatian Institute of Public Health if necessary. All events, as well as the planned number of participants, will depend on the current epidemiological situation.

It is recommended that visitors enter one by one in such a way that the first one who enters takes the farthest place in the auditorium, looking from the entrance, and so on. A distance between visitors of at least 1.5 meters when entering, moving and exiting is recommended. It is recommended that the exit of visitors is organized so that they go out one by one, in such a way that the first exit of the visitor closest to the exit.

Visitors should be reminded to keep their distance even after completing the program, not to stay in groups and not to make close contact with each other. It is recommended to regulate the performance of the performers respecting the measures of physical distance, preferably separately, one by one, while avoiding encounters with the audience.

With regard to performances, it is recommended that performances be held only in accordance with the records and with the specified contractors and staff. It is recommended to avoid physical contact, and for performances where it is not possible to maintain physical distance, it is recommended that the same persons always perform. Online ticket sales are encouraged, with which visitors will enter the space directly. After the performance, the used props and other equipment must be disinfected. After the performance, it is recommended that the performers change and shower as soon as possible, respecting the measures of physical distance. Whenever possible, showering is done at home.

It is recommended to ventilate the room at least twice a day for a minimum of half an hour before and after the program or, if possible, leave the window open. Frequently touched surfaces used by a large number of people must be disinfected before and at the end of each performance and program, and at least twice a day. When planning the schedule, it is necessary to provide enough time for the entry and exit of visitors and contractors, and in the case of two consecutive events to allow sufficient time for the disinfection of the space.

Depending on the development of the epidemiological situation, changes to the maximum recommended number of visitors are possible no earlier than June 15, 2020.

You can read all of their recommendations HERE.

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

May 13,  2020 - The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) has published recommendations for the operation of hotels and rentals in Croatia. 

HRTurizam reports that in accordance with reactivating certain activities based on looser measures, it is recommended that hotels and rental activities act per the following recommendations.

1. General rules and conditions for hotel premises
- Physical distance. During their stay in the hotel, visitors must adhere to a measure of physical distance of 1.5 meters concerning other visitors, unless they are members of the same family or group.

- Disinfectant. At the entrances of hotel premises (lobby, reception, sports, and recreational facilities, counters for payment of services) and in the work area of ​​employees it is necessary to install dispensers with disinfectant (based on alcohol in a concentration of not less than 70% or other means suitable for use on the skin with declared virucidal action).

- Visible notices and informing guests. At the entrances of the hotel premises in a visible place, it is necessary to place information on hygienic procedures or place information with guidelines on proper behavior and protection measures in the rooms where guests stay, or give this information to guests upon check-in or put an information leaflet in the accommodation unit. The telephone number of the responsible person in the hotel is available in the accommodation unit, who then takes contact with the health care institutions in case of COVID-19 suspicion. 

- Maximum number of people on the premises. Observe the rules of the maximum number of persons allowed in certain areas following the defined criteria of physical distance of 1.5 meters to other visitors, unless they are members of the same family or group.

- Paper towels and disposable material. It is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of paper towels and other disposable materials, means and equipment for cleaning, washing and disinfection.

- Waste disposal. It is recommended to place a rubbish bin with appropriate lids in all public areas inside the hotel.

- Protective equipment. It is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of protective masks and gloves for employees entering the guest accommodation units (eg maintenance staff, cleaners, etc.).

- Adhere to all general and hygienic measures. Instructions for cleaning and disinfection are available at the following link:

Persons suspected or suffering from COVID-19: HERE

2. Reception, lobby and other public spaces

- Ventilation. Ventilate all areas regularly.

- Reception hygiene. Disinfection of reception areas at regular intervals (eg every hour), and disinfect the area of reception and check-out of guests (contact areas) with a higher frequency than other reception areas.

- Physical distance at the reception. Ensure sufficient distance between reception staff and guest and staff, reduce check-in / check-out time below 15 minutes (which is the definition of close contact) or, if this is not possible, place partitions (made of Plexiglas or similar material that provides the required sanitary distance). The maximum number of people in the reception area is regulated and limited in accordance with the measures of physical distance of 1.5 meters.

- Informing guests and staff. Reception staff should be sufficiently informed about COVID-19 to be able to carry out the assigned tasks without difficulty and to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 within the institution. They should be able to inform guests inquiring about the hotel's policy regarding the implementation of preventive measures or other services that guests may request (for example, medical and pharmacy services available in the area or in the facility itself, telephone numbers of emergency epidemiologists, etc.).

- Application of technology. Emphasizing online / booking check-in and check-in from home (the option is to find the technical possibility of direct guest registration on the e-visitor), contactless payment, payment by proforma invoice, self-scanning of documents, etc. (where applicable and possible).

- Check out. Advise guests to announce their check-out plans in advance so that bills can be prepared on time and avoid being delayed at reception.

- Currency exchange and ATMs. Prefer where it is possible to change and withdraw money at ATMs located on the outside / outside the reception. ATMs are located in public areas that are covered with a disinfectant dispenser.

- Elevators. Set up safety instructions, including the maximum number of guests allowed at one time, in front of and inside the elevator. Elevators are located in public spaces with disinfectants, and the distance from the max. number of users of each elevator should be made unless the users are part of a family or share a common accommodation unit.

- Conditions for maintaining the hygiene of sanitary facilities. Increased cleaning, disinfection and ventilation of public sanitary facilities every two hours (and more often if necessary), increase the number of employees for daily cleaning in each sanitary facility. Limit the simultaneous use of sanitary facilities in accordance with the size and prescribed sanitary conditions.

- Business centers/conference rooms. Mandatory disinfection of tables and all equipment after use. Respect for the physical distance of 1.5 meters between individual groups of guests.

- Children's facilities. Ensure work in the manner prescribed by the operation of kindergartens and playgrounds in cities. Recommendations are available on the HZJZ website.

- Equipment availability. If necessary, provide guests with available thermometers and protective masks and gloves (on request).

3. Food and beverage service areas and commercial facilities

Shops and catering facilities in the hotel should operate in accordance with the decisions of the Civil Protection Headquarters and the existing recommendations for these activities outside the hotel.

Instructions for catering facilities available HERE

4. Accommodation units

Cleaning frequency of accommodation units. Cleaning and change of bed linen and towels will be done in accordance with existing standards, informing guests that if they want, the rules of cleaning and change of bed linen and towels can be arranged differently, or adjusted to guest requirements (eg only on arrival/departure room is cleaned and changed towels and bed linen and to eliminate the principle of changing towels and bed linen and cleaning during the stay of guests).

- Cleaning of surfaces and sanitary facilities. All surfaces that have come in contact with the guest (nightstand, table, chair, coffee table, any furniture, amenities, telephone, remote control, etc.) must be cleaned with a suitable detergent and disinfectant. Cleaning of all bathroom surfaces must be given special attention when changing guests.

- Bed linen and towels. Used bedding (bedding and towels in the bathroom) must be stored in a closed container separate from the cart with clean bedding; dirty and clean bedding must always be separated and must not come into contact.

- Informing guests. Ensure that information/instructions on new room cleaning and linen change procedures are clearly visible and accessible to guests.

5. Recommendations for hotel staff

General protective measures. Avoid close contact with people who show symptoms of fever, cough and / or difficulty breathing. Avoid touching the face, mouth, nose and eyes, shaking hands and close conversation, and maintain social distance. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with an elbow or tissue to be immediately thrown in the trash and wash your hands. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and / or use an alcohol-based or other skin-friendly disinfectant with virucidal effects according to the manufacturer's instructions.

- Maximum protection of customers and hotel staff. If possible, install a protective barrier at the serving point and at the cash register, which will physically separate the cashier from the customer. Contactless credit card payments should be encouraged. During their stay in the hotel, visitors must adhere to a measure of physical distance of 1.5 meters in relation to other visitors, unless they are members of the same family or group.

- Daily body temperature measurement. Staff should take their body temperature before arriving on the morning shift. If the body temperature is higher than 37.2 ° C in the morning, if the person feels sick or has any signs of illness (applies to all symptoms and signs of illness, not just respiratory diseases), they should contact their superior and not come to work until the competent family doctor is called.

- Two-shift operation. If possible, organize the work twice, so that there is at least an hour between the first and second shifts, which will be used to clean and disinfect the surfaces during routine cleaning. The surfaces shall be disinfected by wiping with an alcohol-based disinfectant in a concentration of not less than 70% or another agent suitable for use on the skin with declared virucidal action according to the manufacturer's instructions.

- Staff awareness. Before starting work / opening, educate staff about all measures that are being implemented.

6. Technical service and maintenance

- Water use and chlorination. Maintaining the hygienic conditions of the pool water (bathing water) and ensuring the smooth operation of the water treatment device is carried out in the usual way. Concerning pool water, it is possible to use the maximum permitted concentrations of chlorine.

- Textile washing and dishwashing equipment. It is necessary to check the proper functioning of the equipment for washing dishes and laundry, especially the working temperature, as well as the correct dose of chemicals for cleaning and disinfection.

- Air conditioners, heating and ventilation devices (HVAC). Pay special attention to monitoring the condition of the filter and maintaining the correct condition of the air exchange rate indoors. The proper functioning of equipment for ventilation, air exchange and dehumidification of indoor pools should be checked. Increased ventilation of hotel spaces is recommended, for example, by increasing the number of ventilations, by increasing the percentage of outside air circulating in the system.

- Dispensers and other devices for disinfectants. Regular inspections should be carried out to ensure the proper functioning of the soap and disinfectant device. It is recommended to put the hand dryers out of order and replace them with disposable paper hand towels. Defective units should be repaired or replaced quickly.

7. Pools, beaches and sports - recreational and other service activities

- Pools and beaches. Separate deck chairs in such a way as to ensure physical distance from in relation to other visitors unless they are members of the same family or group. The hotel staff must disinfect the deckchairs several times a day, and certainly after guests leave the deckchair and another guest wants to use it.

- Recreational sports. In the spaces provided for recreational sports indoors, the instructions "Recommendation for training and sports-recreational activities in indoor sports facilities during the COVID-19 epidemic" published on the HZJZ website are applied.

Cosmetic services. Instructions available HERE
Massage services. Instructions available HERE

- Wellness and saunas. Limit the number of people, especially in closed facilities (eg wellness) and spaces, in accordance with the available space. It is recommended to put all wet saunas out of function. Dry saunas, such as the Finnish sauna, can continue to operate. Ventilate, clean and disinfect all surfaces in hallways and toilets more frequently.

8. Receiving associates and unannounced guests

- Associates. The arrival of other persons (eg couriers) should be organized in such a way that before the arrival of that person, the phone is announced and the temperature is measured.

- If the body temperature is higher than 37.2 ° C in the morning, if the person feels sick or has any signs of illness (applies to all symptoms and signs of illness, not just respiratory diseases), they should contact their superior and not come to the hotel until the competent family doctor has been contacted by telephone.

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

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 30th of April, 2020, the Croatian Institute of Public Health has prepared ten pages of draft guidelines on its official website for the prevention and suppression of the coronavirus epidemic for early years education and pre-school institutions, as well as primary schools providing care for the children in attendance.

Children with chronic diseases or those who are in contact with chronic patients:

The Croatian Institute of Public Health recommends that children and staff with chronic illnesses (respiratory, cardiovascular, diabetes, malignancies, immunodeficiency, children with major physical/motor impairments) remain at home, as well as children whose parents/guardians or household members have one of the aforementioned issues.

If a staff member has one of the aforementioned illnesses or are over 65 years of age, they shall, during their stay at home, observe the measures of physical distance in their households.

Stay home when possible:

It has been stated that the Croatian Institute of Public Health recommends children who can be cared for at home remain at home, since the number of children in kindergartens and schools may be such that the physical distance measures required fail to be properly adhered to and respected. As distance learning will continue to be maintained, the Croatian Institue of Public Health has stated that it encourages the continued education of children from home in all situations where it remains possible.

Physical distance of two metres:

It is necessary to organise the work of the institutions at hand in such a way that social distancing measures continue to be respected (physical distance) as well as the measures regarding enhanced personal hygiene. The physical distance of at least two metres indoors needs to be maintained by employees, and it is recommended that physical distance be maintained whenever possible between employees and children unless a child requires special care.

When using a common area, staff need to maintain a physical distance of two metres between each other, and staff meetings and the like should take place via e-communication or by telephone, and the entry of parents should be avoided whenever possible.

Only children and a teacher from the same educational group may stay in the same room together at the same time. Physical distance as well as the enhanced personal hygiene of children should be encouraged, but it should be expected that during the implementation, certain deviations will inevitably occur due to the developmental characteristics of certain age groups, characterised by:

- The exploration of spaces and objects that surround the child (at certain ages, kids will continually put their hands and foreign objects inside their mouths),

- Curiosity towards other persons / other children,

- The misunderstanding of instructions,

- The disregard for the instructions,

- Restlessness and the need to move around freely,

The organisation of work with children:

It is necessary to organise the stay of children in Croatian kindergartens and schools as follows:

- Groups of children in fewer numbers, the same children (preferably up to 9 children in a group and one teacher / teacher giving a total of 10 people as a total) - after forming a group of children, 14 days from the beginning of application of these instructions including non-working days, no new children are admitted to the group),

- One group of children should be taken care of by one teacher, or two in the case of an extended stay at school or during the afternoon shift in kindergarten, without any "overlap",

- Physical contact (close contact) between children from one educational group with other children, parents/guardians of other children and staff members must be avoided,

- Each group of children needs to remain in one suitable room,

- The teacher should spend as much time outdoors as possible with the children,

- Children's dining tables and school desks need to be spaced apart so that the children sit at a distance of two metres and each child should always be sitting in the same place,

The proper organisation of space - The recommended features of a room in which a group of children are staying (a classroom or other appropriate space, such as a gym):

- The room should be as large as possible and be airy and sunny (with an adequate natural daylight source),

- The room needs to be separated from any other room occupied by other groups of children by a door,

- The room needs to be well ventilated with fresh (not recycled) air from outdoors

- In the immediate vicinity of the room, there needs to be a toilet which is used exclusively by that group of children,

- It is necessary to arrange for the children to eat in that same room (meals can be delivered to the room and then consumed in that room), in such a way that the person bringing the food leaves food on a tray in front of the entrance to the classroom and the teacher brings the food into the room in for the children, the food must be pre-divided into portions,

- The room must have direct access to a larger terrace, balcony or, if possible, an outdoor yard,

- Any other person's entry (such as cleaning staff, janitors or those bringing food) into the room must be avoided as long as the children are in the room,

- Passage through common areas should be avoided and minimised, and if necessary, passage through common areas shall be organised in such a way that children and the teacher from the same group pass at the same time, while other persons don't pass at the same time, all while encouraging children not to touch any surfaces or objects in such passageways,

These instructions, among other things, relate to entering, exiting and carrying out classes in school facilities, as well as handing over children and dealing with school equipment, all of which can be found on the Croatian Institute of Public Health's official website.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for more on coronavirus in Croatia and the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

April 20, 2020 - A look at the guidelines for catering facilities in Croatia published by the Croatian Institute of Public Health on Sunday.

The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) has published guidelines for catering establishments, according to which the catering objects of the following groups are allowed to operate: restaurants, bars (coffee shops, pubs, buffet, tavern and cellar) and catering facilities, but subject to all anti-pandemic measures and strict social distance measures.

HRTurizam presents the list as follows:

1. It is forbidden to serve meals, drinks or beverages within the property.

2. The buyer picks up their purchase at the door, window or just outside the door of the property.

3. Adherence to the highest hygiene standards and keeping a limited number of customers apart must be ensured in order to reduce physical contact and maintain a prescribed distance of 2 meters between buyers, sellers and buyers, and sellers.

4. It is recommended that, unless otherwise arranged, the installation of a plexiglass barrier/protection or other disinfectants meets all the requirements and safety measures to protect buyers and sellers.

5.  Payment with contactless cards is recommended, if possible.

6. For cash payments, it is recommended that the buyer first puts the money on the counter and then takes the returned balance. After each buyer, the counter is disinfected.

7. The product (beverage, meal, etc.) should be ordered and paid for separately from where it is served/pickup, if this cannot be arranged, the seller must disinfect the hands between payment and ordering and disinfect the surface/counter between payment and ordering.

8.  Ensure that no crowds are created and clear instructions are placed at all entrances and visible places. 

9. If possible, it is recommended to ensure the flow of customers in such a way that there is a separate entrance/driveway from the exit/departure.

10. Prominently state instructions and recommendations for the observance of general hygiene rules and a strict measure of physical distance.

11. If a drive-in system is organized, it is forbidden to leave the car and the measures specified in points 3, 7 and 10 must be observed.

The director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak, explained how relaxed measures would look. As the measures are currently in place until May 4, the rules in cafes and restaurants will gradually be loosened. For starters, only those who have terraces and can provide distance to guests will be able to open.

He cited an example of cafes where people would not be able to sit side by side, and would instead sit one to two people at a table for four people. In addition, they will have to adhere to hygiene measures and disinfect everything after the guest leaves.

Stay tuned.

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

The Croatian Institute of Public Health has had its work cut out for it lately. With new and stricter measures being implemented all the time at the state level, the latest of which being a ban on people leaving their place of registered permanent residence, the Institute has even more work on its hands keeping people up to date and calming potential hysteria.

If there is one thing that might be even more heavily discussed than coronavirus, then its the masks themselves. Many people are tired of the endless questions about masks, and the fact that they keep rapidly selling out and being worn by people for whom they serve little to no purpose.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 24th of March, 2020, the director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak, once again went into more detail at a press conference, at which he talked about whether healthy people should wear disposable surgical masks or not, and how useful canvas masks really are.

Capak said that ordinary cotton masks, when it comes coronavirus, have a more psychological meaning than they do anything else at all.

"For coronavirus, a three-layer surgical mask has been proven to be a barrier because it has a single plastic layer - which is why it's recommended for those already ill to prevent it from spreading further. For medical professionals and those in contact with the sick, there are special masks that completely protect them when they're used properly.

Requiring people to wear masks when entering a store makes no sense if you're talking about healthy people. For those who are ill, yes, it's good to wear masks, especially if they're sneezing or the like, but it's not necessary. We haven't made recommendations for wearing a mask for people who are healthy, nor do we think those recommendations are useful,'' Capak said.

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

A bus of Chinese tourists from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the Coronavirus epidemic was first detected, recently arrived in Croatia. Just before noon yesterday, the bus reached the border crossing at Bregana.

*Follow this page for updates from Total Croatia News on the coronavirus in Croatia. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.

According to reports, they arrived in Europe by plane to Milan, and arrived by bus to Croatia. Before their arrival in Croatia they were screened for signs of the virus at Milan airport. No one showed symptoms of the disease, as reported by Index on January 25,2020.

Chinese Tourist Bus Driver Advised by Croatian Epidemiologists

They stopped at Bregana and were instructed what to do if they notice symptoms. As Index learned, the bus driver also received the phone number of epidemiologists and must contact them if any passengers show any symptoms of the Coronavirus.

Croatian Institute of Public Health Issues Travel Advice for China

The Croatian Institute of Public Health was informed of the event and had previously issued precautions for travelers going to China and returnees or tourists from China, as reported by Iva Tatić/Total Croatia News on January 25, 2020. Those precautions follow below:

In view of the emergence of a new Coronavirus in China and the unknown about transmission routes, HZJZ advises international travelers traveling to affected areas to follow the usual precautions advised to reduce the risk of other travel-related diseases (i.e. alimentary infections which are transmitted by fecal-oral means or insufficiently processed foods, respiratory infections transmitted by aerosols and droplets, sexually transmitted diseases transmitted by unprotected sexual contact, blood-transmitted diseases transmitted by the sharing of drug and drug injection supplies).

• Avoiding close contact with people who have an acute respiratory infection.
• Frequent hand washing, especially after direct contact with people who are ill or while in their surroundings. If contact with an affected person cannot be avoided, use a surgical mask to cover your mouth and nose, do not touch your eyes, mouth of nose after contact with the patient. And mandatory washing and disinfection of hands after contact with the patient.
• Avoiding close contact with live or dead animals: both domestic and wild animals.
• Consuming properly processed foods, preferably immediately after preparation; thorough peeling of fruits and vegetables, drinking bottled water without ice.
• Avoidance of unprotected sexual intercourse with persons whose health status is unknown.
• Avoiding the sharing of drug paraphernalia (or illicit drugs) with others.

Health Precautions for Travel Returnees

Measures to reduce the spread of the disease on and upon return from the affected area:

• Passengers who have symptoms of acute respiratory infection should cover their nose and mouth with disposable wipes and wash their hands when coughing and sneezing.
• If an international traveler becomes ill, he/she is advised not to travel during the illness for several reasons: The demands of the journey may worsen his/her health. In some countries a passenger will not be allowed to board a means of transport (airplane, ship, train, bus) if he/she is recognized to be ill due to the possibility of transmitting the infection to other passengers.
• If the passenger becomes ill while traveling in a vehicle in international traffic, they should report their symptoms of the disease to staff to ensure that the patient remains comfortable and has the necessary protective equipment (surgical mask), medication (antipyretic, analgesic), and so that arrangements can be made for the patient with be met at the destination by the local health service.
• If a passenger develops fever and/or coughing and breathing difficulties within 14 days of leaving the affected area (at this time, Wuhan City is considered the only affected area), the doctor should be informed and informed that he/she has stayed in Wuhan for (or other affected area, if identified).

"The reason for promptly reporting a passenger with a fever with respiratory symptoms to a physician is to permit timely diagnosis and determine the true cause of the disease. It is much more likely that the returning traveler has the flu or other respiratory illness than the disease caused by the new Coronavirus. It also enables timely initiation of the proper treatment, prevention of further transmission of the disease to persons in close contact and ensures the necessary monitoring of the health persons who have been in close contact with the patient.

A returnee from the affected area may announce his/her arrival by telephone to the doctor to avoid staying in the waiting room and to arrange a way of arrival (it is not advisable for the patient to travel by public transport). If he/she does not know who to contact, the person may call the local epidemiologist or the epidemiologist of the Croatian Institute of Public Health for advice," the HZJZ advised.

What have scientists discovered about the Coronavirus so far?

The new Coronavirus has taken scientists by surprise according to Index on January 26, 2020. They do not know exactly where it originated, but it has already traveled 9500 kilometers since being discovered in China at the end of December. Despite quarantines, the epidemic is spreading. The number of fatalities is on the rise too.

If this was a Hollywood movie, now would be the time to panic. However, most people just need to wash their hands and continue going about their daily lives.

"Don't panic if you're not paid to panic," says epidemiologist Brandon Brown of the University of California, who has studied many deadly epidemics. "Health professionals need to be on standby and governments need to provide them with resources. Timely and accurate publicity is the key, and everyone else can relax," Brown adds.

Within three weeks of the outbreak, which spread to at least 941 people in 11 countries, scientists learned more about the virus. It is a Coronavirus, a relative of the pathogen causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a disease that has caused hundreds of deaths worldwide.

Other Coronaviruses cause nothing more severe than a cold. In addition to humans, Coronaviruses can infect cows, pigs, cats, chickens, camels, bats and other animals. Most of the initial victims of the current epidemic reported they had visited a large '' live market '' in the Chinese city of Wuhan, suggesting that the virus had passed from a different species to humans.

Coronavirus Causes Only Mild Symptoms in Young and Healthy

When experts examined the genetic code, they found a sequence previously unknown to science. This means that humans have not been able to develop natural immunity to the Coronavirus called n-CoV2019. Fortunately, it seems to only cause mild symptoms in young and healthy people. Most of the reported deaths are occurring in people over 50, those who have been previously ill or have weakened immune systems. "So far, we have no evidence that this is more dangerous than the flu. Most people will be fine with decent medical care," reports Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard.

"In fact, it is possible that hundreds or thousands of people have already been infected in China and elsewhere but have experienced such mild symptoms that no one has noticed," adds Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. "It's too early to know. In new outbreaks; the most severe cases are often identified first and can result in a distorted picture of how dangerous the situation is," Inglesby points out.

Information Updates Spreading Faster Than Coronavirus

Epidemiologists are now trying to find out when the new Coronavirus acquired the ability to transmit from person to person since the public market in Wuhan, which is considered the starting point, is clearly no longer the source of the epidemic's spread. Health workers expect human-to-human spread to continue in the short term, which means new cases will emerge across Asia, in the US and possibly in Europe. The news is that information about the virus is spreading faster than a virus.

The SARS epidemic erupted in 2002 in the Chinese province of Guangdong and by the time of its suppression in 2003; it had killed 774 people in 29 countries. The registered number of patients exceeded eight thousand. However, at the beginning of the crisis, the Chinese government was falsifying the number of sick people, refusing assistance from abroad, which undermined the ability of their own citizens to protect themselves. The public outrage led to the resignation of the Chinese Health Minister.

This time it's different. Chinese authorities quickly informed other countries of the epidemic's development. They also shared the genetic sequence of the virus, which can help epidemiologists track its spread and predict what to do next.

"This is definitely not 2003. The speed at which the virus was identified is a testament to that," adds Michael Mina from Harvard.

Scientists Develop Diagnostic Test Within 24 Hours

After receiving the Coronavirus genome, it took scientists 24 hours to develop a diagnostic test.This fact further supports the argument to avoid panic. The rapid increase in the number of patients can be misleading. Before the diagnostic test was developed, doctors had no reliable way of distinguishing n-CoV2019 virus infection from the virus causing pneumonia. And that means the number of registered cases will now skyrocket.

"You may hear about 300 new cases, but maybe 300 were before. An increase in the number of patients may not mean spreading the virus, but better detection," she added.

Follow our Lifestyle page for updates on the spread of Coronavirus and recommended protective measures for Croatia and abroad. 

*Follow this page for updates from Total Croatia News on the coronavirus in Croatia. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.