Epidemiological measures to be relaxed as of midnight

There were 134 new cases of coronavirus infection in Croatia today, 50 less than yesterday, and 13 people have died. There are also fewer patients in hospitals. The situation is favorable and as a result, epidemiological measures will be relaxed as of tomorrow. 

Cafes will again be able to work until midnight, but only on terraces because inside it would not be possible to control fans who will be watching the matches of the European Football Championship. The Civil Protection Headquarters has recommended avoiding mass gatherings to watch matches.

From midnight, new epidemiological measures will be in effect - hospitality industry facilities and bakeries will be allowed to work until midnight.

“This is firstly related to the working hours of restaurants and cafes, but also other businesses that were limited to 11 pm until now. The decision goes into effect as of midnight,” said Interior Minister Davor Božinović.

This measure also applies to public events and gatherings, and a maximum of one hundred spectators will be able to attend sports competitions. The European Football Championship starts tonight - on Zagreb's Jelačić Square, as well as in other cities, a joint viewing of matches has been announced.

“For cities, counties and municipalities, the decision contains a recommendation for all places that are planning to do this, to not do it, because we don't see a manner of doing this without violating epidemiological measures. That is a clear message, it is perfectly clear to me, it is clear to all of us, we all remember earlier championships and how they looked, however there was no epidemic then,” commented Božinović.

“The epidemiological situation is favorable and numbers continue to decrease,” said the Director of the Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak.

“We should be satisfied with this, not only in terms of newly infected, but those hospitalized, on respirators or who have died. However we are in an extremely sensitive period, because people have relaxed because warmer weather has arrived, people are going out, many people have been vaccinated, the epidemiological situation is favorable and people have begun to relax,” noted Capak.

Capak also commented on the interior portions of cafes which are still closed, noting that if they were to open, it would be impossible to control events within the closed portions and the number of people who have gathered.

In most European countries, the number of infected and hospitalized is dropping.

“We see a trend where people who have received one dose of vaccine, decide not to get the second dose. This is not good, experts from the European Union have suggested that vaccination with the second dose be quickened and for people not to avoid receiving the second dose,” said the director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Alemka Markotić.

Source: HRT