March 29, 2020 - HNK Hajduk Split and fan charity ‘Bilo Srce’ have joined forces to launch the ‘Breathe as One’ campaign for KBC Split. 

HNK Hajduk’s statement in full:

“Aware of the moment we are all experiencing, the importance of combating the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic and ultimately the impact of the pandemic on the Club's functioning, HNK Hajduk and the Hajduk Fan Charity “Bilo Srce“ are launching the "Breathe as One" campaign to equip the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at KBC Split, which serves the care of the most severe coronavirus infected patients.

HNK Hajduk, its first team and club employees have already raised the funds needed to buy two sterilizers, which are currently most necessary to the employees of the Split hospital. The original intention was to raise funds to purchases ventilators, but due to the length of the delivery time, in agreement with the KBC Board, the idea was dropped.

Excess funds from buying the sterilization devices will be donated for the second part of the action, in which we invite all our fans, veterans, sponsors and all the big-hearted people who are able to participate in the fundraising campaign to equip intensive care (beds, monitors, pumps, suctions and all the other equipment necessary to function in these most difficult moments).

We want to help KBC Split and our entire community to ensure that all those who need it receive the highest quality healthcare in the fight against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

According to his or her ability, anyone can make personal payments to the account listed below, especially for humanitarian purposes:

USER: HNK HAJDUK Š.D.D.

IBAN: HR9124070001500328067

SWIFT: OTPVHR2X

Model: 00

Call number: 00

Description: Humanitarian action

In advance, we thank everyone for their contribution, solidarity and demonstration of social responsibility, and in the interest of all of us and our loved ones, our fellow citizens and all those who unfortunately will not be able to avoid hospitalization.

Let's breathe as one: Hajduk and Bilo Srce for KBC Split! #ostanidoma”

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

March 29, 2020 - The City of Split has a clear message for citizens during the coronavirus crisis in Croatia - STAY HOME! 

Split-Dalmatia County currently has 52 coronavirus cases, a number that will likely change after the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters press conference on Sunday. Behind Zagreb and Pula, Split has the third-highest number of infections, which includes citizens from Brela to Solin.

In contrast to the first days of the new measures banning gatherings in public areas, the citizens of Split, meanwhile, have been quite disciplined. They also seem to be adhering to the restrictions on moving between cities, which was announced earlier this week. 

I did an article the other day outlining my shopping experience at Spar in the Firule neighborhood, which is otherwise bustling with grocery stores, bakeries, and cafes. On Thursday, however, the neighborhood was a ghost town, with citizens strictly following the hygiene measures in place by supermarket chains and pharmacies. You can read more here. 

Apart from the constant warnings about the importance of sticking to these measures, there is no doubt that the disciplined citizens of Split have helped to control the spread of the virus in the city. 

And now, the citizens of Split will be reminded to stay home thanks to an illuminated #oSTanidoma (‘Stay Home’) light display set up on the west side of the Riva, at the end of Marmontova. The ‘ST’ is cleverly capitalized as the abbreviation of the city's name.

The City posted a photo of the new sign on their Facebook page Saturday night, and as Dalmacija Danas learned, the winter decorations were donated to Split by Zima, reports Dalmacija Danas.

It didn't take long before Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara posted his thoughts on Facebook. The Mayor shared the photo with a short message: Thank you for staying home!

We can only hope this new attraction doesn't attract groups of Instagrammers.

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

March 28, 2020 - The second installment of popular former TCN writer Ivica Profaca's diary of the new reality as a tour guide in waiting in an era of no tourism. 

If you read the first part of this series, you might remember it finished with the word "survival". And it had been proven as a keyword for something we still like to call the "season".

Between that first article and this second installment, new cancelations have arrived, plus a few postponements to later months, usually September and October. Actually, what puzzles me the most is this kind of optimism some of my guests are showing by still not cancelling. At this very moment, I still have some 20 dates booked in May and June. Those numbers are just a joke compared to the almost daily tours I had in those two months last year, but it's amazing that there are still people expecting to be able to travel in less than two months from what most of us see as the Apocalypse. To make the picture even less bright, some of those dates are for cruisers which means they will be dropped off knowing that most cruise companies have put operations on hold for an indefinite time.

Contrary to some optimism drawn from those dates which were still not cancelled, but "only" postponed, there are no new bookings. It would be pretty insane to expect any these days (and a sign of insanity of those wishing to travel right now), but when I get the first one it will be well worthy of opening the finest bottle of wine I have at home. By the way, recently I heard probably the craziest question ever arriving from some tourist. Someone I know rents a villa close to Dubrovnik, and they pretty much gave up with most of the season, like most of us in the business. However, some ten days ago they got an e-mail from a potential guest, who said they plan to arrive in late April, so they wanted to know if the pool has heated water. Because it's the biggest problem.

All this is just for some personal encouragement, for the struggle for survival is much more bitter.

Many were relying on desperately expected government aid measures to help the economy recover. When they finally came, most of the business world wasn't very enthusiastic. "Wasn't very enthusiastic" is, of course, an understatement, for the general opinion was trashing those measures as insufficient. I'm not an economist, so I can only talk about those measures I hope I can count on. Tourism was immediately declared as an industry which will need a big injection. However, officials were mostly talking about hotels, restaurants, companies with employees, etc. They all have huge problems, and the unemployment rate will go sky high very soon. On the other hand, a whole army of independent, freelance tourism workers were almost ignored. I'm talking about all those accommodation owners, guides, drivers, skippers, all those self-employed sole traders, whose only source of income are the assignments they do. If I don't have a tour any given day, or week, or month, there is no salary like in smaller or bigger companies with employees having a (good, or not so good) contract. In normal times, it's usually a blessing not to depend on anyone. In times like this, which remind me of the plot of the Walking Dead, it's a curse.

The government measures triggered zillions of questions in the guiding community, with one big super-question floating above our heads: where are we in this? Going through the rules was like passing a bar exam, and trying to get some answers from any institution involved wasn't much easier. Initially, there was not a single mention of self-employed people, not even by the tourism ministry. There were some traces of our category carefully hidden behind bureaucratic phrases, but only for more careful readers. The Croatian Tourist Guides Association made an effort to make it easier to understand, and by pressuring institutions in charge, along with Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, so we were given more clarity. The biggest help came through personal experiences and ideas shared on social networks, some on the Association of Tourist Guides Split Facebook group, but mostly through a Messenger group a bunch of us created in Split. That one was, and still is, real community and the one we need when in trouble. With some official clarification coming from the Croatian Employment Service, which is in charge for all measures, it was finally possible to apply. So I did, for both things I'm eligible for; monthly payments of the minimum wage for three months, and a three-month delay of tax and insurance payments. I'm still waiting for a reply, which will hopefuly be positive. I'm one of over a quarter of million workers who have applied, and it will take time to solve it. I hope I will start part three of this series with some good news.

Will it help? Not completely, especially that we will need to pay our duties later from income which won't come. However, it will at least delay, or soften the disaster. My advice to fellow guides (and others in a similar situation): apply. If you don't know how, ask those who did it, exchange everything you know, and look for explanations from colleagues who are maybe more literate in legal matters. Ask institutions, they have to reply, and read all the documents as carefully as possible.

In the meantime, what lies ahead? The number of positive cases from Coronavirus is still growing, and talking about tourism, or business in general, sounds like a fantasy. Or, if you want, complaining about it in the world where people die in thousands is like spoiled whining. Still, read this excellent account on 2020 tourism possibilities written by Paul Bradbury here on Total Croatia News. It offers some directions about the near future.

(To be continued)     

We will be following Ivica Profaca's journey through the rocky weeks ahead.

If you find yourself in Split, or are planning a post-corona visit, check out his range of tours on his website - families, look out for the kids tour of Diocletian Palace. It will not only entertain your kids while allowing you to absorb this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it will bring out the inner child in you too. Learn more about it here. 

March 28, 2020 - Croatian libraries may have closed their doors, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop reading. A look at the e-book collections available around Croatia.

Looking for more ways to pass the time at home? Croatian libraries have you covered. While their doors may be closed during the coronavirus crisis in Croatia, you can still explore a variety of book collections from the comfort of your home, thanks to the e-books made available.

Here’s a look a part of the offer in Croatia’s three largest cities -  Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka.

Zagreb

The National and University Library in Zagreb is allowing everyone interested in heritage and collections of other heritage institutions in Croatia to explore exhibitions as part of the Library’s online exhibitions portal. Three of the exhibitions are available in English (Croatian Glagolitic Heritage, Marko Marulić and Faust Vrančić) and one in German (Marko Marulić).

“The exhibitions present valuable digitised heritage using an interactive approach, while their varied dynamic additional content, such as quizzes and jigsaw puzzles, is aimed at bringing that heritage closer to younger generations. Coordinated by the Library’s Croatian Digital Library Development Division, operating as part of the Croatian Institute for Librarianship, several Library’s departments participate in the preparation of the exhibitions. Technical support is provided by the Library’s IT Department, and, as of recently, the Blue Factory IT company, participating as an outside collaborator,” the National and University Library said on its website.

You can also find a list of digital collections, from old Croatian journals to historic newspapers here. Visit the National and University Library website.

Split

The Marko Marulic Split City Library has recently introduced e-books, making it easy for users to read while library departments are closed.

Those interested will have to download the mobile app ZaKi Book, which is available for free download through the Google Play, Apple store and Microsoft store online. Reading is thus available on Android, iOs and Windows 10 devices.

The application is logged in with a membership number and PIN.
Users can borrow the e-book for 21 days, without the possibility to extend. A member has the right to rent two titles at a time, or a maximum of five titles within one calendar month. The e-books can be read on four devices at a time.

If you do not have a PIN, please contact GKMM by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., send your first name, last name and ID number and you will receive it as soon as possible. Visit the Marko Marulic Library website.

Rijeka

While measures are underway to protect and prevent the spread of coronaviruses, the Rijeka City Library is closed until April 14. But thanks to modern technology, library users can also rent books through the ZaKi Book app. There are more than 700 titles available, and there are currently 587 members using the application. The City Library also reports that 1,236 rentals have been made so far: in January 214, in February 446, and in March, for the time being, 576. 

The five most-read e-books so far are: "The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Recognize, Understand, and Use the Gift of High Sensitivity" by Elaine A. Aaron, "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles, "My Not-So-Perfect Life" by Sophie Kinsela, "Anatomy of Love: A Natural History of Mating, Marriage, and Why We Stray" by Helen Fisher and "20 Steps Forward" by Jorge Bucay. As the director Niko Cvjetkovic pointed out, the Rijeka librarians are active on the web and have prepared a list of recommendations for journalism and fiction, reports Novi List.

Visit the Rijeka City Library website.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 25, 2020 - One Split University student is using 3D technology to help doctors and nurses in the fight against the coronavirus in Croatia.

While this has been a trying time for all of us, there is quite a bit of good that is finding its place in the spotlight during the corona crisis; good in the form of creative ideas that will help health care professionals go through their daily struggles.

Slobodna Dalmacija writes that one shining example is a protective plastic "visor" made in a 3D printer by Slaven Damjanovic, a 23-year-old fifth-year student at FESB in Split. In just a few days, Damjanovic perfected a plastic visor with 3D technology, which, thanks to a thick strap that tightens around the head, allows medical staff to protect themselves from transmitting an infection from a patient that is coronavirus positive.

KBC Split

From the two 3D printers at the Student Center in Split, ten visors have already emerged, immediately handed over to the employees of the KBC staff in Split. At his initiative, another 200 printers, currently 24 Croatian cities, have joined the campaign. 

“I first heard an appeal from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in which individuals and companies were asked for help with various materials, masks, gloves, disinfectants, equipment. On the other hand, it is more than clear that we are missing out on the front line in the battle against the coronavirus. As I already have start-ups and E-agrar, I started thinking about how to help. Because each of us has to help. I first thought of making a respirator tube, which a 3D printer can make. But the idea was dropped because it does not provide 100% health security. And then I came up with a visor,” Damjanovic said.

The visor design was already available on the internet, the work of a Czech company that manufactures 3D printers. He inserted a file with an existing model into his printer. While the design of the visor began, he already had the support of the Croatian Student Union and the University of Split. They distributed his call to action to social networks across the country - and they created another beautiful chain of solidarity, imported 200 printers from Croatia, from Osijek, through Zagreb, Pula, Split to Dubrovnik. As you read this, they are continually making new visors.

"The visor is about 25 centimeters long, weighs 60 grams, and consists of a carrier that we build in a 3D printer. Plastic film is placed and fastened on it, which is purchased finished and adjusted to the carrier. And then the elastic band that goes around the head is fastened on. Let's say it is most similar to a visor used when mowing grass. It provides tremendous security to doctors and other medical staff. In fact, it prevents drip contact between the patient and the healthcare professional. It keeps the mouth, nose, eyes free of the virus. It takes a maximum of three hours to construct one mask, after which it immediately goes to its users,” Slaven says, arguing that this is an example that shows the strength of our students and the future of Croatia.

A special plastic material is needed to make the visor, which is between 150 and 200 kuna. Of this amount, 20 visors can be made. He has so far paid out of pocket, just like all those around Croatia that have 3D printers on hand. But it will take a lot to arm the army of our healthcare professionals.

That is why Damjanovic, as well as the students who have become involved in this immensely important project, are asking people of goodwill to donate work materials and include their printers in the chain. 

“Since the initiative came from us in Split, we have become a kind of logistics center for other cities as well, coordination that distributes visors to other Croatian areas. It was agreed that individuals from each city that joined us would initially start making visors for their hospital centers. As the number of printers increases, we will agree on a wider distribution. And yes, we are missing printers and more materials to work with. Get involved, donate, help, because what we do, we do for all of us. By helping our healthcare staff in their work, we protect our entire community,” said Slaven Damjanovic, as well as everyone else involved in this action.

Follow our live updates on the coronavirus crisis in Croatia 

March 21, 2020 - After a long break, TCN is delighted to welcome back one of our most popular writers from the early days - Ivica Profaca, with a new series called Diary of a Split Tour Guide in the Age of Corona. 

It was supposed to be a season to remember. the first bookings for 2020 arrived as early as July 2019, and by the end of January, there were some fifty dates marked in my calendar.

And then, it happened. At first it was nothing really serious looking from our part of the world. News about the coronavirus broke in Asia, but most of my fellow guides - including me - were still going like "Oh, there might be some problems, but fortunately I don't have that many Asian groups". As news spread, especially with the virus coming much closer to our European neighbourhood, bookings just stopped. It wasn't like they faded out gradually, but at one point I (and others) realized that it had been some time since we had taken the last reservation. In February, there were still no cancellations, I even had two or three jobs, but e-mails and phones went completely silent. As time went on, silence was broken in a way nobody wanted, but we all expected. Usually, the message would start with "Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus situation, our guests decided to...", and then there were two possible sentence endings. The first one is relatively better, saying that they decided to postpone their trip, usually to September or October. The second one was "cancel".

Well, it will still be a season to remember, for different reasons. If it can be called a "season" at all.

By now, it's clear that tourism as an industry has been put on hold in the whole world, leaving many people - especially those working on their own, as freelancers - without almost any income. Compared to getting sick and even dying, it is a lesser evil. However, the question remains - when the virus finally leaves us alone, what will happen? Will we ever travel on a scale we got used to? There is no answer, just waiting. There is no comfort in that, but it is a global issue. There is nobody to blame, it just happened. You want an example of just how global it is? This year I planned to do something on my travel bucket list, walk the Hadrian's Wall Path in northern England. I booked it through a small English family agency, they did an excellent job sorting the whole itinerary out. Now, in the strange version of a domino effect, if I don't have my usual quantity this summer, I won't be able to go there, damaging someone else's business. I really don't remember any other situation when we were all in the same shoes, anywhere.    

While it still looked like there might be a season, I was preparing for it, like any other guide I know in Split and Dalmatia. Recently, I got a guiding license for Šibenik-Knin county, broadening my market. I have agencies I work with, but I also approached some others, too. With a little help from dear colleagues mediating, contacts and some nice deals were made. Furthermore, I turned even more to online platforms, after AirBnB Experience proved to be a success. In addition to my web site, now I also have tours on Trip Advisor and Viator. I applied to different guiding services, created new products, etc. My whole winter was dedicated to making this year as good as possible.

Everything is now on hold, in some cases literally, and the city looks like a ghost town with everything but food stores closed. For example, AirBnB Experience has stopped all booking until April 3, or until further notice. All flights are cancelled, and the low-cost season is postponed. easyJet, as the biggest operator flying to Split, has grounded their planes even before they even started coming, on March 24. Most cruise companies, like Costa, cancelled their trips, too. Knowing that most of ships come to Split from Venice, it makes sense, and it's questionable when they will resume their operations, with the current disaster still ongoing in Italy. It's not connected with the guiding job, but for tourism in Split, especially accommodations, another blow might come with possible cancellation of Ultra Europe. To be honest, knowing how many people arrive for that event - many of them caring about nothing but the party - maybe it would be best if Ultra is cancelled.

So, that's the current situation. While I'm writing this on March 21, the national crisis headquarters has announced that in the last 24 hours there were more about 80 new cases of COVID-19 in Croatia, and nobody knows where it will stop. This is the moment is to save lives, and to obey orders to contain the virus as much as possible. If it's possible.

However, the future without coronavirus is coming. How soon? Optimistic versions say sometime from July or August, but it's impossible to predict. Many guests - especially those coming on small, private tours - have postponed their trips to September or October. Fortunately, that means that my calendar for that part of the year is filling up. There is still a chance that the situation won't get better until then, but we hope it will. Talking with other guides - it always helps to be in touch with those in the same situation - the usual prediction is that resumption will come at some point, but hardly before August.

Actually, when I think about this situation, there is one thing I can't imagine what it will look like. What has to happen that someone in charge will be able to say "OK, we're fine, go fly, drive, sail, travel"? Even when it happens, how long will it pass before people dare to sit on a plane, or board a ferry without holding social distance to everyone else?

In the meantime, besides taking all precautions not to get infected, the economy is collapsing right in front of our eyes. As a freelancer, and small business owner, I might expect some of the measures announced by the Croatian government will apply to guides, and other similar jobs. Those measures are not perfect, but anything might help, when it comes. Right now, looking to the near future, day-to-day survival is the name of the game. Personally, I can still count on some writing and other jobs to fill up the family budget, many others have only guiding as a source of income. If this is prolonged, we will really talk about survival.

(To be continued)

We will be following Ivica Profaca's journey through the rocky weeks ahead.

If you find yourself in Split, or are planning a post-corona visit, check out his range of tours on his website - families, look out for the kids tour of Diocletian Palace. It will not only entertain your kids while allowing you to absorb this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it will bring out the inner child in you too. Learn more about it here.  

March 21, 2020 - What is happening with Ryanair in Croatia? So many flight cancellations to Zadar, but not other coastal destinations. And what about the Hideout Festival?

The situation regarding flights with Ryanair in Croatia has been taking up an ever larger part of my inbox in recent times. Emails such as this have become commonplace:

Any clue why ryanair flights to zadar in june and july got cancelled overnight? Theres still several months to go... Any advice you could provide is greatly appreciated

Hvala puno!

I decided to look into the situation, and what I found was VERY unusual. 

The announcement that Ryanair is grounding most of its fleet on March 24 due to the coronavirus situation was a big shock, but there seems to be an interesting sub-story developing with Ryanair in Croatia. 

We have covered flight cancellations with Ryanair in Croatia already due to COVID-19, and the flight situation has been constantly updated in our regular Croatian travel advice - here is today's. 

This was followed on March 13, 2020 that Ryanair was postponing its planned base in Zadar until 2021, as well as cancelling lots (but not all flights).

With the global situation, it is understandable that Ryanair in Croatia would be operating at reduced capacity, but cancelling flights in July? It seemed a little odd to me.

"Given the overall situation, it is quite certain that the flying season will not start as planned. When it will start, it is difficult to estimate at the moment, which is why Zadar Airport is unfortunately forced to postpone hiring of our seasonal staff until further notice," Zadar Airport spokesperson Nikola Barac told Zadarski List when sent a seasonal employment media request. This has resulted in the postponement of the recruitment of 130 seasonal staff at Zadar Airport. 

Asking around, I was told that ALL flights to Zadar with Ryanair were cancelled by local sources. Really? I found that quite incredible to believe. What I found was all the more bizarre, according to the online booking system on the Ryanair website. 

Zadar is the main market for Ryanair in Croatia, indeed it was the entry point for low-cost flights when the Irish carrier entered the Croatian market in 2007. But Ryanair has expanded to other airports, albeit with more limited services. Dublin to Dubrovnik looks fine at the moment from June 1.  

As does Dublin to Split. Ryanair started flights to both Split and Dubrovnik only last year and currently offer only Dublin to both, as well as Vienna to Dubrovnik, and Stuttgart to Split. 

 Things are looking good from London Stansted to Pula from early May. 

And from London Stansted to Rijeka from June 1. 

But London Stansted to Zadar in July and August?

 In fact, there are only two flights currently bookable from London Stansted to Zadar for the whole of 2020.

What about flights to Zadar for the Hideout Festival on Zrce on June 21-25, 2020?

The Hideout Festival on Zrce Beach near Novalja on the island of Pag is scheduled to take place from June 21-25, 2020, coinciding with the only bookable flights from London to Zadar with Ryanair for the whole year.  

Same story if you are coming from Manchester. Currently, the only two flights available for the whole of 2020 are dates either side of the Hideout Festival.  

But if you are planning to visit Zadar from mainland Europe with Ryanair, there seems to be no problem. From Berlin, above, for example.  

The Viennese can arrive from May 1, 2020. 

And from Brussels, just a day later. 

But from the UK, or Ireland - nothing currently whatsoever, apart from the Hideout Festival flights. 

And of course, the big question is - when will this COVID-19 crisis all be over, and when will flights to Croatia resume?

Nobody knows for sure, of course, but perhaps there is a clue on the Ryanair homepage of one of the movers and shakers of European travel, with their most prominent advert, below. 

If anybody has any concrete information with verifiable links to support the info, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Ryanair, and I will happily update. 

How do I get a Ryanair refund?

This is a question I am getting a lot as well, and I am certainly not the best person to ask. It will involve filling in a Ryanair refund form, but for the latest information, check out the COVID-19 update page on the Ryanair website, which has the latest on refunds and disruptions.

You can keep track of the latest Croatia travel advice as part of TCN's ongoing coronavirus coverage in our dedicated section. 

March 21, 2020 - Split police are busy patrolling the city's most frequented areas on Saturday and are pleading for citizens to stay home during the coronavirus crisis. 

Despite numerous recommendations from experts who have sent messages to stay home for days, many citizens have taken advantage of the crisis to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

On Saturday, 168 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Croatia, and according to scientist Igor Rudan, the real number may be ten times higher, reports Dalmacija Danas.

As of Wednesday, only grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, and those deemed necessary are allowed to work, and all children's playgrounds are closed as of Saturday. Saturday morning, the Crisis Headquarters decided on a new regime for maritime transport, while bus transport between cities was suspended entirely.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said there was a “some kind of ban on movement in public areas". Citizens will not be physically removed, but police will warn and act in the event of disobedience. It is forbidden to move and hang out in groups in all public areas, and the police are strictly patrolling.

Marjan Forest Park was also closed and police visited Žnjan, Bačvice and the Riva and warned about the ban on movement in groups in public areas.

“Bene has been closed, and we have been instructed by the police to close Marjan as well, and to warn all passers-by that movement in this area is forbidden,” said the Marjan Primary School.

A spokeswoman for the Split police further explained the situation.

“We must all respect the decision of the National Headquarters who issued a recommendation not to hold public gatherings, including in public places. People should not gather in groups and police officers are patrolling and alerting citizens to return to their homes. We urge citizens to respect these decisions for your public health. Police will tour all frequently visited locations: Žnjan, Riva, Bačvice and other promenades. We appeal that only people who need it and who do the most urgent work go out in public. The police are doing this to protect all of us and public health. Let's stay home,” spokeswoman Antonela Lolic said.

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