Punishments for Croatian Coronavirus Patients Breaking Isolation Rules
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 13th of March, 2020, the Civil Protection County Headquarters held a press conference at which the chief of staff, Dino Kozlevac, reiterated measures and penalties for Croatian coronavirus patients and suspects who violate the rules of self-isolation that are now firmly in place.
Kozlevac pointed out that citizens call the headquarters on a daily basis, asking them what they should do. He added that closing schools and limiting the business hours of cafes was one of the highest quality measures they have taken as yet, with full border controls in place, N1 reports.
"The border is empty, just as it was yesterday,'' Kozlevac said.
"We're entering a phase where we have to implement measures without compromise. The system is already being pushed to its limits and we expect all the citizens of Istria to adhere to all measures and instructions and to keep their conscience and responsibility at a high level,'' Kozlevac said.
“We have over 1000 people who are meant to be in self-isolation. We've had reports that some people aren't complying and are moving around as normal. I'd like to urge these people to go and be in the place they need to be in. We strongly urge them to respect this measure, as they have no right to endanger themselves or their families, nor do they have the right to endanger their neighbours and other citizens. Have citizens report if they're aware of such cases. Repression begins today. There is a repressive measure, an epidemic has been declared, so some legal regulations are derogating and introducing the possibility of enacting measures to protect the population from becoming unwell,'' Kozlevic said.
"The fines are monetary and I don't think it's worth it to anyone to have to pay them. The control will ask them if they're at home, and whoever isn't at home will receive a punishment,'' he added, referencing Croatian coronavirus patients and suspects who have been ordered to stay within their four walls.
He also appealed to parents of teenagers, who stayed home because schools were closed.
"It's true that hospitality facilities are staying open until 18:00, but parents need to control where their children go and not allow them to go to malls or to gather in groups elsewhere. The malls which don't respect the measure of the communal security guard will be closed,'' Kozlevac said.
Make sure to follow our dedicated section for more on coronavirus in Croatia.
Coronavirus Press Conference in Croatia: 4 New Cases, Panic Bigger Threat
March 13, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros gives the latest coronavirus update at a morning press conference in Zagreb.
The number of cases of coronavirus in Croatia rose from 27 to 31 overnight, Health Minister Vili Beros announced at a 9am press conference in Zagreb, reports Index.hr.
There were two new cases in Istria, bringing the total there to 6, and two more in Zagreb, bringing the total to 12. the two Zagreb patients were from the close circle of existing patients, while one of the Istrian cases had returned from Italy, and the other had been in contact with someone from Zagreb who had returned to Switzerland.
Beros said that he expected that number to rise in the coming days, but that there was no need to panic, and indeed the spreading of panic would have more serious consequences. Taking personal responsibility was crucial - avoiding public gatherings and things that are not necessary. He confirmed that some 500 people had been tested so far.
TCN is producing a comprehensive daily update of the situation in Croatia, with an updated map of the cases, stats and locations. You can read yesterday's thorough update here, as well as view the latest map below, which will be updated later today.
Currently there are no infections in Dalmatia at all, and the three entry points by air of Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar are free of the virus. Flights are functioning, although there have been cancellations. An overview of the flight situation from a couple of days ago can be found here - we will try and update the situation later today.
Borders remain open, apart from some with Serbia, although the ferry connection to Italy has been suspended. In addition to the daily TCN briefing, you can follow all aspects of TCN's coronavirus coverage in the dedicated COVID-19 section by clicking here.
Less Important EU Council Meetings Cancelled, Postponed Over Coronavirus
ZAGREB, March 13, 2020 - European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković decided on Thursday to cancel or postpone less important and less urgent meetings at the Council of the EU and to hold conference calls in some cases. Michel, von der Leyen and Plenković, as the prime minister of the country chairing the Council of the EU, agreed that the EU's ability to make decisions must be retained but that institutions' work must be adjusted to the current situation to minimise the risk of the spreading of the coronavirus.
At the more important meetings that will be held measures will be taken to provide for the safety of participants.
Five meetings scheduled to take place until the end of the month are considered important and will be held.
More news about Croatia and the EU can be found in the Politics section.
Daily Migration of Croatian Workers to Bela Krajina Not Possible As of Friday
ZAGREB, March 13, 2020 - As of Friday, people who live in Croatia and work in the Slovenian region of Bela Krajina will no longer be able to migrate across the border on a daily basis because that Slovenian region has been declared a high coronavirus risk region, Karlovac County head Damir Jelić said on Thursday.
Jelić told a news conference that several hundred Croatian nationals who were expected to go to work to that southeast Slovenian region near the border with Croatia on Friday had to decide if they would take more of their possessions and stay in Slovenia for at least two weeks or return from work to Croatia and undergo medical supervision for early detection of possible coronavirus infection.
This means that the practice of daily cross-border migration for work from the said areas will not be possible and that those who return to Croatia will have to self-isolate at home for two weeks and will not be able to leave the country during that period, Jelić said, adding this decision by the county civil protection team was in line with recommendations by the national civil protection team.
More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
Davis Cup Finals: Croatia Tennis in Group D with Australia and Hungary
March 13, 2020 - The Davis Cup Finals will be played for the second year in a row at Madrid's Caja Magica Tennis Complex, scheduled for November 23-29. The Croatia tennis team will fight against Australia and Hungary.
The Croatian tennis team will play in Group D of the Davis Cup finals with Australia and Hungary, the draw revealed on Thursday at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) headquarters in London.
Croatia was in the first-seeded group with Spain, Canada, France, the USA and Serbia.
Croatia pulled one of the toughest rivals from the second group, the national team of Australia, which is the 11th-ranked Davis Cup team, and Hungary, the 23rd best national team in the world.
The Davis Cup Final will be played for the second year in a row at Madrid's Caja Magica Tennis Complex, scheduled for November 23-29.
The title will be defended by the national team of Spain, which is in Group A with Russia and Ecuador.
The system of competition remained unchanged: 18 teams were divided into six groups of three, from which the winners and the two best of the six second-ranked teams will compete in the quarterfinals, which will begin the knockout phase of the competition.
Spain was better than Canada in last year's final.
2020 Davis Cup Finals (Madrid, November 23-29):
Group A: Spain, Russia, Ecuador
Group B: Canada, Kazakhstan, Sweden
Group C: France, United Kingdom, Czech Republic
Group D: Croatia, Australia, Hungary
Group E: USA, Italy, Colombia
Group F: Serbia, Germany, Austria
Recall, Marin Cilic saved the day for Croatia against India in the Davis Cup playoffs, celebrating 6-0, 6-1 against Sumit Nagal, and for the 11th time in his career, brought the winning point to the Croatia Davis Cup team.
Marin rushed through the first set in 29 minutes. The second set was even quicker, and the 22-year-old Indian player managed to retain his serve once and save himself from a 6-0, 6-0 defeat. It took only 56 minutes for Cilic to win the match and ultimately advance Croatia to the finals.
Source: Gol.hr
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar, Brasserie on 7 Offering Unique Menus for Split Restaurant Week
March 13, 2020 - Restaurant Week returns for its 20th edition from March 13 to 22, 2020.
“Restaurant Week is a promotional action to promote the gastronomic scene of Croatia in cooperation with catering establishments. Restaurants participating in the event welcome guests through special promotional offers. The concept of this action was made in line with the world's metropolises and has been adapted to the Croatian market. It is held twice a year,” explains Restaurant Week on their official website.
This time around, Split gourmands can enjoy special menus from Bajamonti, Brasserie on 7, Median Briig Boutique Hotel, Da’Mar hotel Marvie, Dolis, Dukjin Dvor, Hotel Cvita, Mala Kavana, Noir, Split 1921, Tusculum Hotel Salona Palace in Solin, Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar, and ZOI.
Brasserie on 7, for example, is serving a three-course lunch menu for just 100 kuna.
APPETIZER
1. Bruschetta (precipala) - basil pesto, goat cheese mousse, coulis of peppers, rocket and toasted pine
2. Blue fish confit - salads, salsa verde, daikon
3. Seafood risotto - “bisque” of shrimp, prawns, kapelunga, dried tomatoes & creamy parmesan
MAIN COURSE
1. Pork fillet “saltimbocca” - legumes, ricotta gnocchi & charcuterie sauce
2. Beef Ribs & Shrimp - celery & spinach risotto & bearnaise sauce
3. Sea bass fillet - julienne zucchini, celery cream, fennel salad & mint oil
DESSERT
Choice of cake
Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar is also serving up a unique lunch (100 kuna) and dinner menu (125 kuna)
APPETIZER
1. Viennese Tartar - veal steak, horseradish, carrots, homemade ketchup
2. Red mullet ceviche - fennel cream, leek, rosemary powder
3. Parmesan risotto - cream of grana padano cheese, aceto balsamico, winter salad, espuma of grana padano
MAIN COURSE
1. Homemade Spaghetti - caramelized butter, dried tomatoes, truffle, grana padano, pine nuts
2. Lamb - slow-cooked lamb, potato cream, broad beans, pickled onions
3. European bass baked in parchment paper - mini tomato, zucchini, leek, carrot, posip
DESSERT
1. Polenta pudding - fruit salad with baked sabayon
2. Kadaif cannoli - pastry cream, caramel, pistachio
3. Lemon tart - walnuts, vanilla ice cream, meringue
You can see all the Restaurant Week menus here.
To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
Coronavirus Outbreak Poses Grave Threat to Croatian Wood Industry
As Novac/Vedran Marjanovic writes on the 12th of March, 2020, as many as sixty percent of companies working in the Croatian wood industry, particularly in wood processing, have recorded a drop in orders, around a twenty percent drop since coronavirus has begun to spread, according to a survey by the Croatian Wood Cluster, which includes sixty companies operating within the sector.
''More than half of the respondents encountered difficulties in transporting their goods to Italy, which is traditionally one of the major export markets, as well as to China and Asia. All of this caused a drop in liquidity in as many as 80 percent of the companies surveyed, half of which had a drop in excess of 20 percent,'' the Croatian Wood Cluster claims.
All respondents to the survey said they expect there will be a drop in orders in the forthcoming period, with half of the companies working in the Croatian wood industry surveyed fearing that this drop will end up being even greater than 30 percent. Some companies (five percent of those surveyed) have already unfortunately started with layoffs, a third have halted planned hiring, seventen percent will not extend fixed-term contracts, and 39 percent will wait until the end of June before they see what they'll do.
''As many as 31 percent of respondents, especially in the micro-company category, are currently considering winding down their businesses, which is a truly alarming indicator,'' notes the Croatian Wood Cluster, which, together with the CROBIOM Association and the Association of Croatian Firewood Manufacturers, appealed to the Croatian Government to hold an urgent meeting and adopt emergency measures to further assist those in the Croatian wood industry during these trying times.
Numerous ideas have been suggested, but it's difficult to predict just what will happen next as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hold the global economy firmly in its grip.
Those in the Croatian wood industry also recalled with dismay that the previous global big impact on their business, which was the 2008 global economic crisis, caused the layoff of about 6,500 workers in their industry.
Make sure to follow our dedicated business page for more on coronavirus' effect on the Croatian economy.
Reviving Rijeka Shipbuilding: Scenic Group Boss on 860 Million Euro Deal
Ship Builders
While this boat was being built, the Pula shipyard Uljanik was already in serious trouble, but Moroney wouldn’t give up. He took over the boat and his engineering team, with the team of around 600 subcontractors, and he managed to finish this extremely sophisticated and expensive ship. Its sister ship Eclipse II, an even more perfect version, should be built in Rijeka, in the 3. Maj shipyard, and works should start before this summer. It will be built by the Scenic Group company just registered in Croatia, MKM Yachts, and the Rijeka shipyard will be a subcontractor. That’s very similar to the model Moroney was forced to implement in Uljanik, but it’s also the model he uses to build his smaller and simpler ships in Asian shipyards.
- We’re becoming a shipyard, and not just shipowners in Scenic, and that’s a process that happened progressively, it lasted for years. During that time we managed to create a core base of people, engineers, designer knowledge and experience, so now we can manage the entire process of the creation of our unique ships. When we started building our own fleet of river cruise ships, back in 2007, what the European shipyards had to offer was not compliant with our ideas and what we wanted to highlight and offer on the cruising market. That’s how we started developing our own projects for ships and then letting other shipyards build them for us. We built 20 river cruise ships in Europe, and in 2014, in Asia, Vietnam we started building our own ships. The local shipyard performed the steelworks, and then we and our other subcontractors furnished and completed the ship. We have built three ships until now in Asia and they’re beautiful, built according to all European standards and with a lot of equipment, Moroney explained why he decided to go into the adventure of building ships, in addition to it, obviously, being a cheaper solution.
One thing we know about the cruise ships you plan to build in 3. Maj is that there will be five in total, although some people mention six, and the first one of them will be a copy of the one you built in Pula. Not much is known about the other four.
- You need to understand that I can’t go into too many details, because of the competition on the market. I can confirm we’re talking about five ships for now, with the total value of around 860 million euros, and we’ve also made public that we’re going into the building of Scenic Eclipse II, for which the keel will be laid soon in Rijeka shipyard. As far as the other four ships are concerned, I can tell you that they’re in various stages of designing, they will resemble Eclipse in a way, however still adjusted to the specific niches of the cruising market we’re targeting. They will all be furnished according to the highest standards, so we’re talking about six stars, and their class will allow them to cruise in the polar regions as well.
A painful experience
What makes you think you won’t go through the same thing in ‘3. Maj’ as you did in Uljanik, which delivered Eclipse over a year late?
- Our experience in Uljanik was very painful and it cost us a lot of money, however, we learned a lot through it. I dare say that during the twelve months it took to complete the Scenic Eclipse, and we’re talking about one of the most complicated passenger ships ever built in the world, we compressed the experience which the shipyard acquired in the last more than twenty years. What we went through in Uljanik made me firm in my opinion never to sign another contract again unless we have control over the project. In this project, Scenic will be managing the entire process, and 3. Maj will be our subcontractor for the building of the ship and equipping it on the slipway. I’m certain it will allow for the optimal combination of the two complementary sets of knowledge, as the shipyard will do what they’re best at and what they do great, which is building the keel and the basic equipment while the ship is on the slipway.
Our part of it, what we do best, is the final furnishing, the luxurious part of the ship, the entire interior of the ship, finishing the details. You know, we started in Pula with 2 workers, we needed ten at most, had everything gone as it should have and if the shipyard wasn’t heading to bankruptcy. In the end, our team grew to a hundred people, with highly specific knowledge and engineers who coordinated and managed around 600 subcontractors. And those people, and most of them are still with us, are the reason why I believe we shouldn’t have any problem building Eclipse II in the Rijeka shipyard. In the last seven, eight months we’ve been through each piece of the project documentation, each piece of the Eclipse, to make sure the building of the second ship will go smoothly.
(The Moroneys with Dame Helen Mirren, Godmother of Scenic Eclipse)
Will this final furnishing of the ship also require additional help from the 3. Maj workers?
- Of course. There will be opportunities for everyone doing good and competitive work.
Many people see you as a new strategic partner in 3. Maj. Is that what you’re considering, becoming the owner of the shipyard?
- The fact is, with this project for the building of five cruise ships, we’ve already become a strategic partner to 3. Maj. However, it’s too soon to say anything more. We’ll see. There are many things that need to be done and put in order in the shipyard for the conversations to go that way. There’s no way to avoid the fact that 3. Maj hasn’t worked and hasn’t been operational for over a year, and it’s not working at full capacity now either. To be able to move on, the shipyard needs to finish the existing new ships because that’s what got them the credit lines, then our building needs to start, and it’s certain they need to invest into modernisation. Let’s just take it one step at a time and see where that takes us. Let’s be real, shipbuilding and cooperation is basically gone in this region. With our two boats, which is how much we plan to work on at the same time, it’s hard to see the full rehabilitation of the former capacities of 3. Maj. However, if we manage to create a pool of specialized producers with the most recent know-how and technology in the Rijeka area in the next few years, in synergy with the Italian shipyards we’ll have a healthy core and then anything is possible. The biggest shipyard and the world number one when it comes to building cruise ships, Fincantieri is just three hours away, and I see that as one of the key advantages of Croatia and 3. Maj. All their producers and subcontractors are also within two or three hours from Rijeka. That’s an advantage that needs to be exploited.
You asked for and received government guarantees from the Croatian Government for those five cruise ships. You must be aware that the Croatian taxpayers have opposing opinions on how much the state should intervene into shipbuilding.
- We’ve had numerous meetings about that in the Government, I’ve met with PM Plenković personally four times, and in each of those meetings, he actively promoted the survival of shipbuilding, however making it clear that the Croatian state budget can’t take the burden. I want to make it clear that our Scenic Eclipse in Uljanik didn’t cost Croatian taxpayers anything, even though we had the government guarantees. We didn’t activate them, and I think it’s one of the reasons why we were in the position to negotiate this deal. We got the new guarantee because in this case, we are investing more, we are investing first and our risk is much larger. This is not about the counter-guarantee, because the government guarantee is not given to us, rather to the bank for the credit line to build the cruise ship. I mention that because when we made the deal with Uljanik, all of our payments to Uljanik were covered by the government with counter-guarantees. As a shipowner in Uljanik I had no risk, and neither did the shipyard because everything was paid by the Croatian government and the state budget. Now things are different because the guarantee goes to the bank and covers 48% of the construction cost, and the state keeps the first mortgage over the ship while it’s being built, which means over my 52 per cent too.
The rumour is that the Scenic Eclipse might find its way to Croatian Adriatic coast soon.
- Yes, as it leaves Venice Scenic, Eclipse should arrive in Zadar on May 22nd, and a day later it will dock in Dubrovnik.
After Banning Fans, HNS Suspends All Croatian Football Games Until March 31
March 12, 2020 - The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has decided to suspend all football competitions until March 31, 2020.
“In accordance with the recommendation of the Central State Office for Sport on the postponement of all international and national sports competitions at all levels, taking into account the recommendations of the Civil Protection Staff and the new situation in the Republic of Croatia, i.e., the increase in the number of infected, the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation and the competent authorities have decided to stop all football competitions in Croatia - men's, women's, futsal all HNS leagues, inter-county and county leagues, the Croatian Cup, or all matches of youth, seniors and veterans - until March 31, 2020.
For training, it is recommended to adhere to all the hygiene and safety instructions of the National Civil Protection Headquarters in order to be conducted in the safest possible conditions for the health of the athletes.
As before, HNS will closely monitor the development of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic and, as recommended by the public health institutions, determine new measures, taking into account, in particular, the health of football players, spectators and all other football actors. The football family and the public will be informed in due time of any further measures,” HNS announced on its website.
Recall, the management of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) adopted a new measure on Wednesday aimed at protecting spectators, clubs, players and competitions during the coronavirus outbreak.
The statement from the Croatian Football Federation is transmitted in full below:
“Taking into account the emerging circumstances regarding the epidemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, today the leading people of the HNS and the relevant bodies of the Federation have re-analyzed the current situation and decided that all matches in competitions under the jurisdiction of the HNS will be played without spectators until March 31.
The new measure applies to the HT First League, Croatian Cup, 2. HNL, 3. HNL, 1. HNLŽ, 2. HNLŽ, 1. HMNL, 2. HMNL and all youth leagues under the auspices of HNS, as well as the upcoming UEFA qualifying matches that take place in Croatia.
In these competitions, only teams with their staff, senior management and officials of clubs and HNS, technical staff and a certain number of media representatives will be able to attend the matches until further notice, with all the usual measures for organizing matches.
The HNS also recommends that all county associations take the same measure in competitions under their jurisdiction.
As before, the HNS will closely monitor the development of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic and, if necessary, determine other measures to which the football family and the public will be informed in due time. The decision shall enter into force immediately and shall be valid until March 31 or the end of the representative break. The Federation will make a timely decision to continue or discontinue this measure, taking into account developments, recommendations from public health institutions, and considering, above all, the health of spectators, football players and all other actors in football."
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
Jebiga - the Ultimate Glossary to Croatia's Best-Loved 'J' Word
March the 12th, 2020 - One Croatian word seems to consistently take precedence over all others. Meet the J word and all of its wonderful variations, explained.
Croatian is a rich language and what makes it stand out from many other languages is that swearing isn't looked down upon in the same way as it is in let's say, German or English. When an English person swears, his argument is immediately seen as lost and the person saying it is immediately considered to be less intelligent. It's not the done thing if you're wanting to get your point across and be taken seriously.
In Croatian, however, while swearing still isn't exactly celebrated, it isn't given as much negative press. Often seen as a sign of passion when in an argument or when explaining something to someone, it can light up a conversation and make it more relatable, human and emotionally engaging for the listener. Jebiga and all of its variations, are words that anyone who has spent any length of time in Croatia will more than likely have heard (and multiple times). This is one such fluid, versatile word that you can insert pretty much anywhere, about pretty much anything.
Jebiga, or more politely put - the J word - is to the Croatian language what chicken is to the meat world. You can basically do anything with it. Let's have a look at this Croatian word and all of the ways one can employ it.
Zajeban - When something is malignant, evil, wicked or otherwise entirely unwelcome.
Zajebano - You can use this when describing a situation that is complicated, or better to say f*cked up.
Zajebao je - Something has been f*cked up. Used when a mistake has been made or when something has gone wrong.
Zajebao me - You can use this when someone has betrayed, fooled or in some other way deceived you. In English the equivalent would be that someone has f*cked you over.
Zajebancija - This is used when something is a joke or not meant to be taken seriously. The English would be f*cking around.
Najebati se - Torment of some kind.
Jebada - Stress or pressure of some kind.
Sjeban - If something is improper, incorrect, faulty or in some other way no longer of use or is otherwise incorrect. In short, when it's f*cked up.
Sjebao me - Something f*cked me up. It did me wrong. It brought me harm.
Izjebao me - If someone has used you or done wrong to you in some underhand, sly way, you can use this. You could also say this when someone has f*cked you over.
Jeben - Interesting, amazing, mind blowing.
Jebeno - Extremely interesting, amazing, mind blowing.
Jebenica - The thing you're referring to is amazing, perfection without fault.
Jebeni - Cursed.
Jebeš to - Literally: f*ck that.
Jebeš mi sve - That's unbelievable/shocking/there's no way.
Jebi se - F*ck off if you're saying it angrily. You're great if saying it sarcastically and positively. This one depends on tone and context more than anything.
Jebote - Oh my God! No way! You're kidding! Wow. Damn. Jesus. This particular J word has many a meaning.
Odjebi - F*ck off, get lost, p*ss off, get out of here.
Odjebati - To drop something, to no longer bother with it, to leave it alone. Or to f*ck it off.
Odjebao me - Rejection. They rejected me.
Jebački - Typically used to describe something very strong that appeals to you.
Jebanje - Being bothered, abused, tortured or otherwise irritated to some extent by something (or perhaps someone). Or if you mean it in the absolutely literal sense - sexual intercourse.
Uzjeban - Upset. Disturbed. Unsettled or troubled by something.
Razjeban - Damaged beyond economic repair or destroyed.
To ne ide da ga jebeš - When something is impossible. When it just won't ''go'' the way you want it to or the way it is meant to.
Dobar da ga jebeš - Undoubtedly good/Excellent.
Jebi me ako nije tako - Well f*ck me if it isn't so! I'll eat my hat if it isn't so. Used when you're sure something is absolutely as described.
Nemoj me jebat - Don't f*ck with me. don't believe you! Don't bother me with something.
Ne jebem te - I'm not listening to you. I'm ignoring you. I don't f*ck with you.
Jebemu - Oh, f*ck, what a shame/pity.
Nenadjebiv - When something is unbeatable.
Nadjeban - When something has been beaten.
Jebozovan - Physically attractive.
Nedojeban - Frustrated, usually emotionally.
Jebivjetar - Used to describe someone who is lazy and adopts a ne da mi se/I can't be bothered attitude.
Vukojebina - Some far-flung wasteland. Often used by people living in cities to describe small villages or other out of the way locations.
Jebiga - F*ck it.
We hope this helps you out in your next conversation. One or more of these words will help you to learn to swear like a Croat, learn more about Jebiga here. Follow our lifestyle page for more.
