HNS Cancels All rallies, SDP-led Coalition Scraps Pre-Election Events in Zadar
ZAGREB, June 22, 2020 - The Croatian People's Party (HNS) has decided to cancel all election rallies and events from its campaign tour in the run-up to the 5 July election, urging other political parties to follow its example due to a rising number of new COVID-19 cases in the country.
Following the developments in Zadar where a few tennis players and participants in Novak Djokovic exhibition tournament were diagnosed with the coronavirus, the RESTART coalition led by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) stated on Monday that it had cancelled all its campaigning events scheduled for Monday evening in that Adriatic city.
The RESTART coalition says in a press release that it has decided to postpone the rally in Zadar for general health reasons.
The HNS leader Predrag Stromar said in a press release on Monday that the HNS would continue presenting its platform online and by media outlets, underscoring that the "health of our citizens is of utmost importance."
Stromar recalls that the first wave of COVID-19 epidemic has caused negative economic consequences, and one should not allow a new lockdown.
This should be considered primarily by those candidates who are running for the premiership in the coming elections. Political activities must not be given priority over the safety and health of people or over economic activity, he added.
Borna Coric Among Players Positive for Coronavirus at Adria Tour in Zadar
June 22, 2020 - Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov tested positive foor the coronavirus, which is why the final of the Adria Tour in Zadar between Novak Djokovic and Andrej Rublev was canceled on Sunday.
N1 reports that three more tennis players are positive for coronavirus, as confirmed by Sime Vickovic, Chief of the Civil Protection Headquarters of Zadar County.
Among them is Croatian tennis player Borna Coric and the fitness coach of the infected Dimitrov, N1 has learned.
Tests are being conducted in Zadar on people who have been in close contact with the coronavirus-positive Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov. Dimitrov was at the Adria Tour in Zadar for a few days, and in addition to tennis, he also played basketball with other players and hung out with citizens.
It was announced in Croatia on Sunday that there were 18 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.
More on this developing story soon...
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Flights to Croatia: Turkish Airlines Returns to Zagreb from July
June 22, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar.
Croatian Aviation reports that Turkish Airlines will fly again on the Istanbul-Zagreb route from July 1.
During the summer, Turkish Airlines operated to Zagreb twice a day, thus offering a large number of connections to other destinations in the world to all passengers from Croatia, of course, in the opposite direction, allowing many tourists to come to Zagreb (especially those from Asia).
Due to the outbreak of the pandemic, Turkish had suspended traffic on all routes, and in the last month, has gradually reintroduced domestic lines within Turkey, and now certain international destinations.
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Although before the pandemic, when the airline operated to Zagreb twice a day, the company will now re-launch the line in a reduced form. Namely, the Istanbul - Zagreb - Istanbul line will be run 5 times a week from July 1, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
On Wednesdays and Sundays, the line will be maintained in the morning, with the A320 aircraft, while on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, the aircraft will operate on this line in the evening with the B737-800 aircraft.
The A320 aircraft in the fleet of this carrier has the capacity for 153 passengers, while aircraft type B737-800 has a capacity of 162 passengers.
Turkish Airlines operates throughout the year on the Istanbul - Dubrovnik route, but currently, this route is not yet announced and there is no specific date for the start of operations of this well-known airline to Dubrovnik Airport.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased on the airline's website.
Furthermore, Avio Radar reports that over the weekend, LuxAir renewed all three of its routes to Croatia. The first flight landed in Dubrovnik on Saturday, June 20. The first flight carried 54 passengers, while 5 flew back to Luxembourg. This line will be in service on Saturdays, and from July 8 on Wednesdays.
The second arrival landed in Zadar. This route is planned once a week, on Saturdays, until October 10. On Sunday, June 21, the line to Split was resumed. It will remain in traffic once a week, on Sundays, until October 18.
With the resumed traffic this weekend, LuxAir is the first airline to already fly on all routes and in the full number of weekly flights according to plan before COVID-19. Bombardier Q400 aircraft have been announced for all flights to Croatia.
Zadar Headquarters Release Statement Following Coronavirus at Adria Tour
June 21, 2020 - The final of the Adria Tour tennis tournament was canceled in Zadar on Sunday after it was confirmed that tennis player Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for the coronavirus. A statement from the Zadar headquarters.
The Bulgarian tennis player played only one match in the tournament, but hung out with several people over the last few days.
Index.hr reports that Dimitrov was in contact with hundreds, if not thousands, of people, including many children as part of Kids Day. The final of the tournament was supposed to be played between Djokovic and Rublev tonight at 8 pm, though it has been canceled.
The Zadar Headquarters released an extraordinary statement tonight:
"Residents of Zadar County who suspect infection, or who have been in close contact with the tennis player, should contact the epidemiologist on duty at 098 / 332-765 and their doctor. The Zadar County Public Health Institute will introduce an additional telephone line and additional emergency services from tomorrow. We would like to remind you once again that epidemiological measures are in force, which include maintaining social distance, which is the most important in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and that we must be responsible," said the Zadar County Headquarters.
Dimitrov spent ten days in Zadar, playing in two tennis tournaments. But as part of other activities, he played football and basketball. First, with his fellow tennis players, Djokovic, Cilic, Coric, and Zverev, and later with the spectators, which was part of the Adria Tour event program.
The Adria Tour was also visited by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who pointed out on Saturday that the humanitarian tournament was "a great promotion of Zadar and Croatia in the world". Plenkovic said goodbye to some tennis players in Zadar, including Cilic and Djokovic, who were in direct contact with the infected Dimitrov over the last few days.
More soon.
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Adria Tour Final in Zadar Canceled After Dimitrov Tests Positive for Coronavirus
June 21, 2020 - The final of the Adria Tour in Zadar, in which Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev were supposed to play at 8 pm tonight, has been canceled! Unfortunately, Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov, who played one match in the Zadar tournament, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Index.hr reports that in the last ten days, Dimitrov played in two tournaments with spectators and played football and basketball with Djokovic, Cilic, and Coric. He also spent night outs with other tennis players on the Adria Tour.
At the start of the tournament in Zadar, Croatian tennis player Borna Coric easily defeated Dimitrov, who did not shake hands with the opponent and the referee at the end of the match because he was already feeling ill.
"Hi Everyone-I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions. I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering. Thanks for your support and please stay safe and healthy. GD," the tennis player wrote on his Instagram page.
Dimitrov is the 19th ranked tennis player in the world, though he was once the third-best in the world. The 29-year-old Bulgarian was nicknamed 'Baby Federer' at an early stage of his career as he had a similar style of play, but he never lived up to those expectations even though he has had a successful career so far. At the tournament in Zadar, he was replaced by Croatian tennis player Nino Serdarusic, a 23-year-old who is the 299th best player in the world.
It is not yet known how the Bulgarian tennis player's illness will affect the tennis season, which should continue with tournaments in America in two months. The organizers of the tournament in Zadar will soon address the public.
"We received information that Grigor was tested in Monaco and that he was positive for the coronavirus. We tried to respect all the measures prescribed by the Serbian and Croatian governments, we gave everything we needed, unfortunately, Grigor is positive. At the moment, we are organizing all health services so that as many people as possible who were in contact with Grigor ar tested. I got in touch with all the volunteers and participants of the tournament and so far no one has any symptoms," said Djorđe Djoković from the organization of the tournament at an extraordinary press conference and added:
"Dimitrov was in Bulgaria before this, we still don't know if he got it there or here. Everyone who was in close contact will be tested. We are waiting for the authorities to give us instructions and we will continue to act accordingly," concluded Novak Djoković's brother.
"This was the only right decision, we had to cancel the final for the health of the players, their families, but also everyone else present. Of course, we will do the tests, I did it three days ago and I was negative myself. I don't know if I will have to be tested again, I will go if necessary," said the tournament director Goran Ivanisevic and added:
"All of this is one big shock, but we made the right decision. Health comes first. As for Grigor, he showed no symptoms. He didn't even have a temperature. Still, he felt bad on Saturday and decided to get tested in Monte Carlo. We don't know where he was infected. In any case, we wish him a speedy recovery."
All tennis players who participated in the tournament, as well as the people who participated in the organization will be tested for COVID-19.
Adria Tour director Đorđe Đoković did not confirm whether the tournament in Banja Luka and the exhibition in Sarajevo would be canceled, but said that he would act in accordance with the recommendations of the competent authorities.
More soon...
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Djokovic and Co. Kick Off Adria Tour in Zadar
June 19, 2020 - Russian tennis player Andrej Rubljov, the fourteenth best player in the world, landed in Zadar on Friday morning, where he will join the tennis stars on the Adria Tour, which will be played until Sunday at the Višnjik Sports Center in Zadar.
HRT reports:
"The Adria Tour, which is being held in Zadar currently, is a big event for Croatia that we are extremely proud of. We are grateful to Goran Ivanisevic, who is the coach of Novak Djokovic and the director of the tournament in Zadar, as well as to Goran Djokovic, who is our great friend. The cooperation between him and us as the Croatian Tennis Federation, vice presidents Neven Nakic and Franc Regina together with other federations through the ITF, created good relations and offered us the Adria Tour in Zadar," said the president of the Croatian Tennis Federation Nikolina Babic who welcomed the Russian tennis star at the Zadar Airport.
"We gladly accepted this great challenge, and everything is ready for today's start of the tournament. The players have arrived and are in the final preparations. Everyone really likes Zadar; some are in Croatia for the first time and are delighted with the coast, accommodation, courts and the city," she added.
The spectacle begins today at 5 pm with a grand opening and an exhibition match that will be played by Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic against Borna Coric and Ana Konjuh, followed by Goran Ivanisevic and other stars.
At 6:30 pm, the group draw is scheduled, and at 7:15 pm, for the music part of the program, Gibonni will perform in the area of the northern parking lot of the Višnjik Sports Center. Famous pianist Lola Astanova will perform as a special surprise guest before Gibonni.
Yesterday, the world tennis elite competed at the Kresimir Cosic Hall in Visnjik with members of KK Zadar.
Novak Djokovic, Borna Coric, Marin Cilic, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov faced Zadar basketball players Dominic Gilbert, Juri Planinic, Karel Uljarevic, Jan Palokaj and Duja Brala.
The tennis players showed solid basketball skills, and Djokovic, Cilic and Zverev stood out, who, according to those present, could replace tennis courts with basketball courts without any major problems and a little training.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Flights to Croatia: LOT Returns from July, Smartwings Cancels Prague-Dubrovnik Route
June 19, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates from Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar.
Avio Radar reports that Polish national airline LOT Polish Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance global aircraft, will resume scheduled international air traffic from July 1. Among the first destinations are three stops in Croatia - Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar.
Zagreb and Rijeka are not on offer in the first 14 days of traffic. Pula was not planned this year or before the pandemic. The flight schedule is only valid from July 1 to 15.
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The Warsaw-Dubrovnik line will be in traffic twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, instead of the planned 6 times a week (every day except Tuesday). The Warsaw-Split line will be in traffic once a week, on Wednesdays, instead of two flights per week. Flights on Sunday have been canceled. The Warsaw-Zadar route will be offered once a week, on Saturdays, just as it was announced before the pandemic. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft have been announced on all routes to Croatia.
The biggest news is that the new Budapest-Dubrovnik line, announced for the first time this year, will start operations. Flights will run once a week, on Saturdays, instead of Sunday, which as originally announced. The smaller Embraer ERJ-195 aircraft will fly on this route.
Avio Radar also reports that Czech airline Smartwings has stopped the sale of all flights on the Prague-Dubrovnik route until the end of the year. The line was planned to operate daily. It was previously delayed until July 1, but is now no longer on offer at all.
The Prague-Split line already started operating on June 10, and has been planned daily since June 24. If there are no changes, it will be the first regular line that will fly from Europe daily to one of the Croatian destinations on the Adriatic.
The Ostrava-Split line was supposed to begin operations on June 13, though it has been delayed until further notice. Lines from Poland to Split have been postponed until July 2.
Lines from Poland to Dubrovnik have also been postponed, but to July 9, while the Gdansk-Dubrovnik route is scheduled to run a week later.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was announced on all routes, but on Wednesday, June 17, a smaller Airbus A319 flew from Prague to Split as a replacement for the partner company CSA Czech Airlines, a member of the SkyTeam global airline association.
Novak Djokovic Enjoying Zadar Ahead of Adria Tour
June 17, 2020 - The No. 1 tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, arrived in Zadar on Tuesday ahead of the Adria Tour humanitarian tournament.
"I have been all over Croatia, but I have never been to Zadar, and I am looking forward to meeting Zadar and the people here and all the participants of the Adria Tour. I am very excited and happy to have the opportunity to visit Zadar as part of the Adria Tour, and then a few more locations in the region," Djokovic said upon his arrival, revealing that he did not know that Zadar was Luka Modric's hometown.
It didn't take long for Djokovic to dip into the local mindset, as he was filmed at training at a Zadar beach.
"Mother Nature's Gym," he shared on Facebook with a short video. The post even prompted a reaction from American football legend Tom Brady - "The best!"
Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the final preparations are underway for the Adria Tour. The main court, which boasts room for nine thousand spectators, will be filled to half capacity to meet COVID-19 measures.
Tournament participants include world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, German star Alexander Zverev, and Gregori Dimitrov from Bulgaria, as well as Croatian Davis Cup national team members Marin Cilic and Borna Coric.
It has been known for a long time that Dominic Thiem, Austria's best tennis player, will not come to Visnjik, so there are three vacancies left. One spot should be filled by Felix Auger Aliasiemm, and the seventh participant will be obtained after the final of the HEP tournament.
Yesterday, Novak trained with Borna Coric at the tennis courts of TK Zadar 08 in the bay Drosanjica, which was followed by a line of eager fans waiting for an autograph. It was also on these courts that Borna took his first tennis steps, as his grandmother lives nearby.
After training, the great Nole signed the club's bulletin board and thus left his historical mark on a humble Zadar tennis court.
Although he did not appear on the central ground of the Visnjik Sports Center, Zverev did his training at the Falkensteiner & Spa Hotel Iadera in Petrcane. Just after noon on Tuesday, Zverev stayed with the Djokovic family on the luxury yacht Asha, and sailed together to the Kornati National Park on Wednesday morning.
Goran Ivanisevic, tournament director for Adria Tour Croatia, aired his thoughts on the Adria Tour in Serbia, emphasizing that it was a tennis mega-spectacle and that he is convinced that things will be even better in Zadar.
"It is a real shame to miss the matches that await us in Zadar," said Ivanisevic, obviously satisfied with the fact that apart from Djokovic, a tennis player who conquered the world not only with his game but also with his sportsmanship and humanitarian efforts, the audience will admire the moves of other tennis stars.
Only one question remains: "Are there any tickets left?"
The world is buzzing about the Adria Tour, as is evidenced by the fact that the scenes from Zadar will be broadcast to 110 countries on all continents.
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Novak Djokovic: Zadar Will Be Sports Center of World During Adria Tour
Jun 16, 2020 - At the end of this week, Zadar will be the sports center of the world, assures Novak Djokovic ahead of the Adria Tour tennis spectacle at SC Visnjik.
Jutarnji List reports that after Belgrade, Djokovic's Adria Tour will be held in Zadar from June 19 to 21, as part of which tennis stars such as Dominik Thiem, Aleksandar Zverev, and Grigor Dimitrov will come to Croatia. They will be joined by Croatian aces Marin Cilic and Borna Coric and many other tennis players and friends united by a humanitarian goal.
Since the coronavirus epidemic has calmed in the Balkans, today's best tennis player is spending his time on tennis courts, but also in meetings, because as the organizer of a tennis tournament, which is held in several countries, his hands are full.
"When the epidemic started, I was in daily contact with the players as well as with friends from the tennis federation. As time went on, the idea of organizing tournaments throughout the region began to crystallize, to allow tennis to live on after all. We followed the situation and realized that it was possible. And so it all began. With a lot of work, a lot of organization, and details, we set off.
At the end of the week, we started with the tournament in Belgrade and this week, we are in Zadar, later in Banja Luka and Sarajevo. As I am telling you this, I’m waiting to go out on the court and I’m so excited and happy that I can’t even describe it to you. It is unreal for me that at this time of year, in my city, in the whole region, I have the opportunity to play tennis with tennis players from the very top of the world, with my friends. This is a unique experience," said Djokovic in an exclusive interview for Jutarnji List just a few days before the spectacle in Zadar, in the newly opened regional center of the Croatian Tennis Federation.
"The tennis players who will be performing are all my friends, guys I get along great with, on and off the court. They were the only ones who could come, because it is not easy to get to Serbia or Zadar at this moment. In addition, both Dominik, Alexander and Georgi accepted the fact that this is a charity tournament, and this probably further prompted them to participate. Borna, Marin, Damir Džumhur - I agreed with them the fastest, because we have already been in our homes and cities, and of course, we understand this opportunity differently so that the whole world looks at our region across those days. That is a significant thing," Djokovic explains. Namely, as many as 110 countries will broadcast the Adria Tour tournament.
Nole, as his relatives and fans in his native Serbia call him, is of Montenegrin origin on his father Srdjana's side, and his mother, Dijana, is a Croat from Vinkovci. However, the tennis star had never been to Zadar, although he often spends his summers on the Adriatic.
"I really like the Adriatic, and I love the Croatian coast, generally the smell of the sea, pine forests. It has remained in my memory since I was little. We haven’t made a plan yet where we’re going this summer, as we don’t know anything. First of all, I am looking forward to coming and being in Zadar for the first time. I am grateful to all the tennis players who responded, to the Croatian Tennis Federation, to everyone in the organization, to the musicians who responded to the media, and I can't wait to go out on the court. This tournament will send a wonderful, strong and positive message to the whole world because Zadar will be the sports center of the world over those days," Djokovic emphasizes.
Namely, the first evening will be opened with a musical performance by Zlatan Stipisic Gibonni, on Saturday Petar Graso announced a dance spectacle, and on Sunday, a surprise guest awaits the visitors of the tournament.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Flights to Croatia: Ryanair Returns from July, Luxair to Three Croatian Airports
June 10, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates from Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.
Croatian Aviation reports that Irish low-cost carrier Ryan air has announced it is resuming lines to many destinations in Europe, including Croatia.
From the beginning of July, the company will start flying to numerous destinations again, and Zadar Airport has been the most frequent host of Ryanair aircraft for many years.
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It will be the same from July, when the company will resume as many as ten lines from Zadar:
Zadar - Vienna, twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) from 03.07.,
Zadar - Brussels, once a week (Thursdays), from 02.07.,
Zadar - Prague, once a week (Saturday), from 04.07.,
Zadar - Berlin, once a week (Thursdays), from 02.07.,
Zadar - Cologne, once a week (Sunday), from 05.07.,
Zadar - Dusseldorf, twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays), from 04.07.,
Zadar - Karlsruhe, twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays), from 04.07.,
Zadar - Stuttgart, once a week (Sunday), from 05.07.,
Zadar - Milan, twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) from 03.07.,
Zadar - Poznan, once a week (Sunday) from 05.07.
Apart from Zadar, flights from other airports in Croatia have also been announced:
Dubrovnik - Dublin, twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays) from 01.07.,
Split - Dublin, twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays) from 04.07.,
Split - Stuttgart, once a week (Sunday) from 05.07.,
Rijeka - London, once a week (Monday) from 06.07.,
Pula - Berlin, once a week (Saturday) from 04.07.,
Pula - Brussels, once a week (Monday) from 06.07.,
Pula - London, twice a week (Thursdays and Sundays) from 02.07.
Ryanair additionally canceled certain routes to Croatia and significantly reduced the number of weekly flights in July. Dubrovnik remained on one line, just like Rijeka, and several lines from Pula were canceled. Zadar was supposed to have almost 40 lines this summer, but this July, it will have only 10.
Ryanair currently has affordable flight prices, return tickets can be purchased for as little as 23 euro for a trip in July, and the promotion is valid until June 11 this year.
Furthermore, Luxair, Luxembourg's national carrier, has announced the resumption of its scheduled flights to destinations in Europe, according to Croatian Aviation.
Among others, international routes to Croatia are among the first to be launched to three Croatian airports: Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.
Earlier in the summer flight schedule, Luxair also operated on the Luxembourg - Brač route, once a week, but this route was canceled and is not on sale in this summer flight schedule either.
The company reintroduces the following lines to Croatia:
Luxembourg - Zadar, from June 20, once a week, every Saturday,
Luxembourg - Split, from June 21, once a week, every Sunday,
Luxembourg - Dubrovnik, from June 20, once a week, every Saturday (from July 4, an additional flight is introduced on Wednesdays).
Luxair will operate on all the above routes to and from Croatia with the DashQ400 aircraft, which has a capacity of 76 passengers in the fleet of this carrier. The company also has larger capacity aircraft in its fleet, B737-700 and B737-800, but for now, it does not plan to use them on routes to Croatia.
Finally, Croatia Airlines has announced the flight schedule from June 22, with the addition of international flights from Split airport.
Croatian Aviation reports that Croatia Airlines will introduce five international routes from Split, four to destinations in Germany and one to Switzerland.
Apart from Split, Croatia Airlines will introduce numerous international routes from Zagreb from June 15.
As of June 24, the Split-Frankfurt route will be introduced with two weeks of departure, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, of the A319 aircraft.
From June 27, the Split - Dusseldorf route will be introduced, once a week, on Saturdays, by A319 aircraft.
From the same date, the Split - Berlin route will be introduced, also once a week (Saturdays), by A319 aircraft.
As of June 26, the Split - Munich route will be introduced with two weeks of departure, on Fridays and Saturdays, for the 76-seat DashQ400 aircraft.
From the same date, the Split - Zurich line will be introduced, also with two weeks of departure (Friday and Saturday) by DashQ400 aircraft.
From June 24, the Croatian national airline will operate on five international routes from Split, and one domestic, between Split and Zagreb.
Split Airport currently has the most announcements of airlines in the summer flight schedule.
