Croatia: Authorities to ease certain coronavirus disease-related domestic restrictions from Feb. 15 /update 19

Croatia to ease certain COVID-19-rated domestic restrictions from Feb. 15; international entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Health officials in Croatia will ease certain COVID-19-related restrictions from Feb. 15 due to a decrease in infection rates. Certain businesses will be permitted to reopen. Dining establishments, such as restaurants and cafes, will be permitted to resume outdoor service. Gyms, casinos, and daycares will be permitted to reopen with strict hygiene measures in place.

Other domestic restrictions will remain in place until at least March 1. Public gatherings remain limited to 25 people, while private gatherings are limited to 10 people. Entertainment venues such as bars and nightclubs must remain closed. All businesses and establishments permitted to remain open must adhere to social distancing requirements. Employers must introduce work-from-home policies where possible. Facemasks remain mandatory indoors and in all outdoor spaces where social distancing cannot be observed

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities are also maintaining international entry restrictions as of Feb. 13. Only travelers arriving from regions designated as "green" by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) may enter Croatia without restriction. As of Feb. 13, only Iceland and parts of Norway are designated as green regions within the EEA; travelers from Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and China may also enter Croatia without restriction.

Travelers arriving from all other parts of the EU and Schengen Area must present proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival or self-isolate in Croatia until they are tested. Seafarers and transport workers, diplomats, staff of international organizations, persons traveling for urgent reasons, passengers in transit, and patients traveling for necessary health reasons may enter without a PCR test. Border workers, health workers, and students who travel to Croatia daily are also exempt from producing PCR test results, provided they spend no more than 12 hours in the country. EU citizens and permanent residents may enter Croatia from any third country as long as they possess a negative PCR test. Individuals from all other countries remain barred from entry except for those traveling for personal, family, or business reasons, as well as diplomats and students; such travelers must also comply with the PCR test result requirement.

Tougher entry requirements are in place for travelers arriving from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil due to variants of COVID-19 active in those countries. Permitted travelers from these countries must undergo a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period on arrival in addition to possessing proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. The isolation period can be shortened by taking a test confirming a negative result on day seven of self-isolation or later.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.