March 25, 2020 - The Croatian Government has launched an English-language version of its Koronavirus official website. 

The Croatian Government continues to impress with its crisis communications. 

An official information website, Koronavirus.hr was launched a few days ago, in an attempt to coordinate the latest updates, as well as dispense official information. 

The site is updated several times a day, and includes updates on case numbers, as well as a chart monitoring the curve. 

The site has been in Croatian only, but a new English-language section is now available, which will be fantastic news for worried expats, many in the diaspora and others who are not proficient in Croatian. 

You can find the link to the English version of the Koronavirus website here. 

With its regular press conferences and media accessibility of the key managers of this crisis, the official Croatian handling of this crisis - and its handling - has been outstanding after a slow start, and I for one am very grateful for the responsible and decisive approach that is being taken in extremely difficult times. 

In another example of great communication, the Croatian authorities announced a new communications channel via Viber two days ago, which has already attracted more than 400,000 followers. This channel is being used to inform the public of the most important updates and advice. You can follow the coronavirus updates on Viber here.

There are currently 382 cases in Croatia, of which 16 have recovered, with more recoveries set to be announced today. 

You can follow the latest on the COVID-19 situation on Croatia on the TCN live updates article.

For more detailed coverage of coronavirus all over the country, you can find all the TCN articles on the subject in this dedicated TCN section. 

And if I was to recommend one article to read from yesterday's coverage, it would be eminent Croatian scientist Igor Rudan's account no why we MUST all stay home for one month. 

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 24th of March, 2020, in order to make everyday life easier for Croatia's residents during the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and to help them make sure they leave their homes as little as possible, two major Croatian companies, Podravka and Croatian Post, have joined forces and made online ordering of Podravka's food packages possible, with free delivery.

This package preparation action has been prompted by numerous inquiries from residents across the country about the delivery options for Podravka's products, which are most commonly used in their households and are always in high demand.

Special packages that can now be ordered through the Yellow Click online store for price tags of 500 and 800 kuna, are the products for both adults and kids, and are precisely the ones that are the most wanted from Podravka's range according to available sales data, such as yeast, soups, canned vegetables, canned fish, baby food, dessert products, spreads, etc. These individual product prices are the lowest regular prices on the market, and the packages can be ordered and sent to someone else.

''While the vast majority of residents are now in their homes, our employees are working tirelessly to produce enough food for everyone. In addition, we're putting extra effort into packing and preparing packages which arrive at people's home addresses by mail so that they're able to stay indoors as much as possible. In this way, with our partner Croatian Post, we're supporting the activities of the competent institutions aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus,'' said Marin Pucar, CEO of Podravka.

Ivan Čulo, CEO of Croatian Post, pointed out: ''We feel a duty to help when we have the opportunity. Podravka and the Post Office will jointly provide a great ordering service through Yellow Click for the delivery of food packages. Postmen are always available to people, especially in times of crisis. All of our employees have been provided with protective equipment, extreme care is taken in regard to hygiene and the number of handling of individual shipments is limited. We'll transport the packages in completely safe conditions.''

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for rolling information and updates in English on coronavirus in Croatia.

March 25, 2020 - Bored at home? Watched everything on Netflix already? Take a virtual tour of Croatian museums!

The decision of the National Civil Protection Headquarters suspended all activities that were not necessary for the normal functioning of the community. Among them are numerous cultural institutions and events... and that is exactly why now is the time to take advantage of all the benefits you can find online. 

The Museum of Arts and Crafts announced that it has been temporarily closed to the public until further notice, and is moving its activities to online platforms. Unfortunately, due to the Zagreb earthquake, the Museum suffered severe damage. Fortunately, you can still take a virtual tour of it here. 

But the Museum of Arts and Crafts is not the only one taking advantage of all the benefits of the modern world. 

Thus, a look at the museums in Croatia you can visit virtually during the corona crisis, courtesy of HRTurizam:

Nikola Tesla Technical Museum in Zagreb, modeled on existing large scientific and technical museums in the world, as a specialized museum of technology - HERE

Archaeological Museum in Zagreb - most of the monuments are from places belonging to the Croatian historical area, but there is also the Egyptian Collection, as well as a considerable part of the Numismatic Collection material, of foreign origin and several significant collections of Greek and Roman monuments - HERE

Water Supply Museum - walk through the museum and learn about the history of the Zagreb water supply system in a fun way - HERE

Museum of Ancient Glass in Zadar - the museum is archeological but specialized with its exhibit and represents a unique collection of over 5000 different ancient glass objects - HERE

Zadar Archaeological Museum - several departments: Prehistoric, Ancient, Medieval Archeology, New Age, Underwater Archeological Research, Pedagogical and Andragogical Activity, Conservation and Restoration, Library and others, and Museum of Nin Antiquities - HERE

Museum of Vučedol Culture Vukovar - find out why Vučedol is one of the most important archeological sites in Europe - HERE

Pregrad City Museum and Library - a permanent exhibition consisting of three collections: the Numismatic Collection, the Mining and Geology Collection, and the Thierry Pharmacy Collection - HERE

Rector's Palace Cultural and Historical Museum - a permanent exhibition of art paintings, furniture and useful objects from the 16th to the 19th centuries in the ambient salons of the Rector's Palace, the seat of the Government and Prince of the Republic of Dubrovnik, and collections of old Dubrovnik coins, medals, seals, coats of arms and weapons - HERE

Trakošćan Castle - today one of the few objects in Croatia with its own heritage, historically closely related to the architectural framework and the life of its owners - HERE

Rupe Ethnographic Museum - the permanent exhibition shows the storage of grain and presents the traditional economy and rural architecture of the Dubrovnik area with festive costumes - HERE

Zagreb Typhlological Museum - exhibition - "Unspoiled Nature: Island of Rava" - the idea of ​​displaying parts of untouched nature is driven by the desire to present and display the still preserved, natural gems of our country in a peculiar, multi-sensory way, just like the island of Rava - HERE

Archaeological Museum of Istria - today, it is organized into the Archaeological Department, the Documentation Department, the Library Department, the Education Department and the Conservation and Restoration Department. The museum also has collections in the amphitheater of Pula, which it also cares for, then in the temple of Augustus and the Franciscan monastery and Nesactium 

The Museum Gallery of the Sacred Heart - HERE

Amphitheater Gallery - HERE

The Underground Amphitheater - HERE

Gallery C8 - HERE

Museum of Blessed Aloysius Stepinac - Archdiocese of Zagreb - presents numerous documents and objects that Cardinal Stepinac used for his life - HERE

The Zagreb earthquake unfortunately severely damaged the Zagreb Cathedral - HERE

Mimara Museum - with the primary role of safeguarding the artistic heritage, the mission of the museum is to communicate to the visitor rich and layered artistic, historical and civilizational content that can be decoded from particular artworks or groups of works of art - HERE

Museum of the Trilj Region - explores, preserves and documents the cultural heritage of the Trilj area, primarily archeological, then ethnographic and cultural-historical - HERE

Museum of Krapina Neanderthals (Flash player required) - collects, preserves, expertly processes and presents geological, paleontological and archeological material - HERE

Zagreb City Museum (Flash player required) - A permanent exhibition portrays the city in all its aspects, from political, ecclesiastical, historical and economic to architectural-urbanistic, cultural-historical, entertaining and every day - HERE

Sinjska Alka Museum - the exhibition includes many uniforms, equipment used in the Sinj Alka, as well as the Alka statutes. A special attraction of the exhibit is the display of a life-size Alkar procession - HERE

Croatian History Museum - includes almost 300,000 museum objects organized into sixteen museum collections - HERE

This is only part of the offer in Croatia, but it will undoubtedly make the time at home pass more quickly. 

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

March 25, 2020 - NK Osijek and Dinamo Zagreb are the first two Croatian clubs to reduce the wages of players and employees during the corona crisis.

Drastic times call for drastic measures, and during the corona era, we’ve seen athletes around the world hit hard by the effects of the global pandemic. 

Croatian sport has been on hold since the beginning of the month, which has been especially tough for Croatian football. While HNS announced that the league must end no later than June 28, we’re still unsure of a potential start date, as Croatia is on lockdown until April 19. 

Clubs are struggling to stay alive, and players and employees are the ones having the suffer. 

Namely, the players of NK Osijek were offered a salary cut due to the coronavirus crisis, which they accepted, reports Glas Slavonije.

Thus, the club will reduce salaries by 50%, and 25% will be paid back when they return to the pitch.

They were the first club in Croatia to make this move, which we believe many more will follow to avoid financial problems.

"We were the first to decide on such measures, but I believe that all other clubs will very quickly do the same thing," said Osijek President Ivan Mestrovic.

Of course, this will not be an easy period for footballers and employees alike, but in the long run, this might be the saving grace.

After Osijek, Dinamo became the second Croatian club to reduce costs by reducing player and employee wages due to the coronavirus crisis, reports Nogomet Plus.

Unlike Osijek, whose employees and players will receive 50% lower pay (25% of which are non-refundable) until football resumes at Maksimir, they have opted for even more drastic measures. Namely, employees and players will receive only a third in the next six months - one third will be paid after the start of the competition, and one third will have to be given up permanently.

In its statement, the Dinamo Management stated:

“From the onset of the crisis caused by the Coronavirus - Covid 19, the management of GNK Dinamo has been in constant session and analysis of the consequences of the global crisis that caused the world economy to stall and completely halt our core business in sport. 

The strategy that we have decided to counteract the consequences of this crisis on society as a whole, and in particular on sport and football as its most prominent part, aims at preserving all jobs in Dinamo. This means that we strive to ensure that none of our players, coaches, physicians, physiotherapists, economists, stadium maintenance workers, and club administration are jobless and secure the conditions to live and function in dignity at this globally critical moment.

In order to succeed in this, all the stakeholders of the club must bear the brunt of this crisis, in proportion to their income and the other benefits of playing for and being employed by Dinamo. Considering the uncertainty of the continuation of the competition, the postponement of EURO 2020, the unknown start date of the new season in Croatia and Europe, the unknown about the timing and extent of the summer deadline and the overall economic crisis that has arisen, primarily to preserve the overall stability and liquidity of our club, the management of GNK DINAMO made the following decisions:

Employees earning more than HRK 7,500.00 (average income of the City of Zagreb) will be paid this amount and the difference up to the full amount of the salary as follows:

- one-third of the difference between the average income and the full amount of salary is paid regularly

- one-third will be paid within six months from the date of the first official game of GNK Dinamo

- one-third of the salary will not be paid permanently

- this measure shall be valid until 30 September 2020 and shall enter into force immediately.

2. Players and coaches will be paid as follows:

- one-third of the benefits will be paid on a regular basis

- one-third of the proceeds will be paid within six months of the date of the first official game of GNK Dinamo

- one-third of the benefits will not be paid permanently

- this measure shall be valid until 30 September 2020 and shall enter into force immediately.

3. The next two team preparations will be held in Croatia without going to the usual foreign destinations

4. This year's edition of the Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament is completely canceled

5. We continue to take additional measures to reduce all costs other than those necessary for the functioning of the Club

The decision shall take effect immediately. In these moments, we invite all players, coaches and employees to contribute with their positivity and community to the Club to continue its sports success and maintain its status as a leader in the sports excellence of Croatia and this part of Europe.

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

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 24, 2020 - More great advice for those in the travel industry as we wait for things to improve. Build scenarios!

Depending on where you live it has been a week, two or three that your business has been ordered into lockdown. For most of us it feels like months, or even years, when it has really been weeks only. It also feels like you are already late with decision making, and you feel the urge to sort things out as soon as possible. This is understandable, this desire to get things under control. I have the same urge, day in, day out. The idea that you can’t do anything about the current situation can be very debilitating, especially for entrepreneurial minds.

The future looks very bleak right now, so if you are a small business owner in the travel industry, a hotelier, a restaurateur, travel consultant or else you should not look into that direction for too long. It might make your head spin. On top of that, the future doesn’t really exist. There is only the present, and what you do now really matters. So, there are few things I recommend you can do starting now, if you have not done it already:

1. Work on scenario planning

Scenario planning is not the same as prophesying or predicting the future. It is a very useful tool that you can use to help yourself figure out most likely scenarios taking into consideration the two most important factors for the success of your business. It can be for example the time it takes for the crisis to be over and money you have in your account, it can be time and connectivity, whether the world will remain a global place, or we will keep the new borders indefinitely or money and connectivity. Based on the most optimistic and the most pessimistic outcomes draw the four scenarios and see where it takes you. It might give you an indication of the four possible future directions. Probably much better than what you have now.

2. Protect the cash-flow to the point where you don't destroy your chances to bounce back

This is not an easy one. The urge is to protect whatever is left, but don’t jump your guns. Talk to your partners, talk to your suppliers, and firstly and lastly talk to your team members. Create different projections based on the different scenarios you devised in your scenario planning. Keep an eye on the day to day development to see which direction is most likely to occur and follow that.

3. Look after your teams, personally and professionally

Companies that have not built their teams around a common culture and shared purpose will falter like a house of cards. If yours is built around a common culture and shared purpose, keep it alive. Do not allow for panic to destroy something you have been building for years. Keep the internal communication alive, clear and honest. If you have built the right culture it will not be only up to you to keep the flame alive, others will pick up as well, just don’t put it out. We have been under for a short period of time, but it may last. No matter what, do not add additional and unnecessary pressure by imposing deadlines. Those who come out of this crisis mentally healthy and team-strong will have a head start for a quick recovery.

4. Look after your partners, you will need them again

Call people. Offer help, ask for help. Just talk to them. Try to share the burden, perhaps financially but also psychologically. There is nobody winning in the travel industry right now. Absolutely nobody, and that is unheard of. Share your scenarios and get their insights. We are in this together, but we are also in this alone as we are the main players only in our own movies. Talk to others to hear how their movies are playing out. The crisis will be over, but a lot of players will likely remain the same, and you will need them, same as they will need you, sane and ready to bounce back.

5. Stay visible, but be smart about it

You want to keep your visibility, and that is important and understandable. Make yourself visible but be very smart about it. It is the right thing to continue using social media to a certain extent, but use it to promote the importance of mental health, promote life in small communities if you are in one of those, tell the stories of local heroes and support the efforts of people who are putting everything they know into solving this crisis. Or else tell a dream. Tell a heartfelt story.

You can also read more on how to communicate in the time of coronavirus crisis in this article.

March 24, 2020 - Communities around Croatia are coming together to do their bit in the response to coronavirus and the Zagreb earthquake aftermath.  

In spite of the latest circumstances which have shattered Croatia, Croatian people have once again shown how kindness is greater than the effects of Coronavirus and the Zagreb earthquake.

While we waited for the closure of catering facilities, the owner of the "Kraljevski pub Tomislav" cafe bar in Varaždin decided to do that by himself. Not only that, but employees chose to volunteer and help those in need.

"Maybe this month, we will not make money, but we will make lots of love from other people who appreciate our hard work and dedication and, above all, our free time that we spend for someone," they told eVaraždin.

Jelena, Davor and Katarina, well done!  (see lead photo)

The Knight order "Ružice grada" from Orahovica announced on its Facebook page they are starting to make a cotton face masks. "If you know of an institution that may need it or people who are at risk, please let us know so we can donate." After that, they wrote they stand at your service if you need someone to clear the snow in front of your house. Not only that, but they will also bring you groceries if you can't do it by yourself. This is the real knight chivalry.

In the Facebook group "Tražim/nudim studentski posao" ("Looking for/offering a student job"), many people are offering a home to those whose houses were destroyed in the earthquake. In the same group, plenty of the students provided instructions for every child who needs it due to the school closures. And they will do it for free. After that, the new group called Free Instructions, was made.

Students organized and launched an action to create protective masks for medical staff. The masks are already in use at KBC Split. More than 120 3D printers launched in 24 cities in less than 18 hours! DiyConnect Company is doing the same thing. 

Following the decision to suspend public transport, the HUP member companies, the Rent-a-Car Coordination Company, informed that they make available, for free, more than 50 vehicles throughout Croatia for free, so that healthcare staff can get on time to their jobs. Adipromet is doing the same thing, knowing how important the work is that our medical staff is currently doing.

Three young psychologists are offering free online help since they understand that some people are going through tough times at the moment. They have Facebook and Instagram profiles. If you need to talk with someone, they are here for you.

A free Web application for order fulfillment and delivery has also been created to assist people in self-isolation, the elderly, and infirm. Scan the code and help others! How does it work?

1. Sign up 2. Wait for a call to help someone.

If you thought it couldn't go better than this, there is more. A few owners of apartments forgave rents to those who live in it for this month. 

Bad Blue Boys, the Dinamo fan group, again showed their preparedness to help. "I do not know how much news about the Blue Heart action has spread. Still, in cooperation with the Red Crioss, we take care of people who are unable to go to pharmacies, shops, etc.. This is also true for senior citizens and chronic patients who would be put into unnecessary danger when leaving home." 

In the Facebook group "Jedni za druge" (One for the other), made specifically for those in need due to the earthquake and coronavirus, many people offer their help.

Mrs. Manuela Babić, the owner of OPG, wrote: "Every Friday until further notice I can provide 200 to 250 eggs on my farm and donate to the needy. If you know anyone, whether from the Red Cross or someone who volunteers and delivers food to people, please refer them to me."

And again, some offer a home… 

We believe there are many more volunteers who are doing good from the shadow. Shout out to all of you, good people. Wherever do you take a look, someone stands there, offering a hand. What a time to witness.

Do you know an initiative to add to this list? Email Janja with details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

ZAGREB, March 24, 2020 - Croatian Economy Minister Darko Horvat today said that the government was working intensively to address the shortage of protective equipment against coronavirus and that a "large plane" carrying such goods would arrive to Croatia from China during the day.

Other (supply) routes are being planned, primarily airline routes to transport protective equipment not only from Europe, but also from China and India, as all standard suppliers are swarmed with orders from Croatia, Europe and all over the world.

The need for specific materials makes the start of the production of such goods in Croatia harder.

"Several companies are testing how effective some materials they have managed to obtain are against viruses. If they meet the criteria, Varteks and Calzedonia will soon start the production," Horvat said.

The head of the Croatian Public Health Institute, Krunoslav Capak, said on Tuesday that healthy people did not have to wear single-layer canvas masks when entering shops and other public spaces, since those masks did not protect against the coronavirus.

The National Civil Protection Authority has not made a recommendation that healthy people should wear protective masks nor do they think that this is necessary, Capak told a press conference.

Only specialised respirators with filters that prevent the passage of the virus are effective in protecting against the spread of the coronavirus. In Croatia they are currently used by health care professionals.

The National Authority only recommended that infected persons should wear a three-ply surgical mask with a plastic layer that filters out tiny particles.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.