COVID restrictions to continue, says Beroš

Health Minister Vili Beroš said on Monday that the relaxation of the epidemiological restrictions was not yet on the agenda, despite a steady decrease in new COVID infections and hospitalizations.

The head of the University Hospital of Split, Julije Meštrović, said that the at the city's hospitals was slowly getting back to normal. He said that the number of hospitalized COVID patients was cut twofold in comparison to the situation three weeks ago.

"We are absolutely discussing all possibilities, including a further relaxation of the measures and updating the use of COVID certificates. However, nothing is imminent since the numbers are still not good," said the minister.

Beroš said that at the moment any radical moves should be avoided and also explained that other countries had not done away with COVID passes entirely and have kept them in the health and social welfare sectors.

Thanks to an improved epidemiological situation in neighbouring Slovenia, the majority of restrictions there have been lifted, including COVID certificates, which remain in use only in the most at-risk institutions.

Interest in vaccinations has also been waning in Croatia in recent weeks. Some vaccination centres have closed due to a lack of interest from the public, while the Zagreb Fair Grounds is set to offer the jab only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.