Croatia: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions from October 26 /update 7

Event

Authorities announced new stricter coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions to come into effective at midnight on Monday, October 26, and to continue for at least 14 days after the number of daily COVID-19 cases recorded exceeded 2000 over the weekend. Authorities announced that face masks will be required outdoors whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5m (5ft). Public gatherings will be limited to no more than 50 people, with up to 30 people allowed to attend weddings and funerals and up to 15 at private gatherings. All public gatherings and ceremonies must end at 22:00 (local time), and the sale of alcohol will be banned between 00:00 and 06:00. Companies have also been urged to organize employees to work from home wherever possible.

Face masks remain mandatory in enclosed spaces nationwide including shops, bars, restaurants, and other places where there is close contact with customers and on public transport. Croatia has reopened its borders and all UK and EU/EEA nationals and individuals with permanent residence in the EU countries are permitted to enter the country freely without restrictions. All domestic transportation services resumed though some regional restrictions on travel remained. All other foreign nationals are also permitted to enter the country for business, tourism, or other personal emergency reasons.

As of October 26, there are 37,208 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 452 associated fatalities in Croatia. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China).

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.