Croatian basketball championship game condemned by government authorities

Interior Minister Davor Božinović said on Monday he expected the organisers of the Croatian basketball championship final held in the coastal city of Zadar on Saturday to be fined for allowing thousands of fans into the stands at the Visnjik sports hall.

Minister Božinović and Health Minister Vili Beroš expressed their extreme disappointment in the Zadar basketball club for not respecting the epidemiological measures that limit large crowds.

"This message at the start of the tourist season is not good. We must be aware that we are watched by the governments and other authorities of the countries that are our market. If footage showing a large number of people gathered in an enclosed space is seen in western countries, you can be sure that it will deter some people from visiting Croatia. That is contrary to what we are doing. Tourists will, first and foremost, opt for safe destinations, and we all know how important tourism is for Croatia," Božinović said.

Minister Beroš released the following statement: "What happened at the basketball game on Saturday in Zadar is a big slap in the face to the efforts we have made to reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19. I am afraid that in a week or two we will pay a heavy price for this recklessness with an increased number of infections in this city which is an important tourist destination in Croatia."

Beroš called on the management of the Zadar Basketball Club to demonstrate genuine concern for their fans by appealing to them and other members of the public to get vaccinated.