March the 17th, 2020 – As the current coronavirus outbreak continues to dominate the press at home in Croatia and abroad, a lot of information (and misinformation) has been circulating.
As Croatia introduces strict self-isolation rules not only for coronavirus suspects but for those entering the country from a long list of countries, just what does it mean, at least in the eyes of Croatian law, to ”self-isolate”? It might seem obvious, but it isn’t. We’ve been receiving many questions about just what self-isolation means in the current coronavirus-dominated environment for both foreign and Croatian nationals entering the country.
Let’s have a look at what an official source from Medjimurje (continental Croatia) says to start off with.
Here is the English translation of the document linked above:
”Pursuant to Article 197 of the Law on Health Protection (Official Gazette Nos. 100/18 and 125/19) of Article 47, paragraph 2, item 8 of the Law on the Protection of the Population Against Infectious Diseases (Official Gazette 79/07, 113/08, 43/09, 130/07, and 114/18) and the Decision of the Minister of Health, CLASS: 011-02 / 20-01 / 143, REGULATION: 534-02-01-2 / 6-20-01 of the 11th of March, 2020, on the declaration of the epidemic of COVID-19 caused by the SARS – CoV-2 virus, on the proposal of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, the Minister of Health issues [the following] decision on the special security measure of the isolation of persons in their own home or in another appropriate space (self-isolation).
This decision, in order to protect the population from the disease COVID-19 which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to all persons entering the Republic of Croatia from the countries referred to in point II. of this decision orders the adherence to a special security measure of insulation in one’s own home or in another suitable space (self-isolation) in which adequate conditions exist for isolation, for a period of 14 days from the date of entry into the Republic of Croatia.
II.
The special security measure [referred to] under point 1 of this decision applies to all persons coming [to the Republic of Croatia] from the following countries:
China
Korea
Japan
Singapore
Australia
Malaysia
Philippines
Vietnam
Cambodia
New Zealand
Italy
Spain
France
Germany
Switzerland
Denmark
Sweden
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Austria
Belgium
Norway
Czech Republic
Finland
Greece
Israel
Republic of Ireland
San Marino
Iceland
Slovenia
Poland
Romania
Portugal
Slovakia
Hungary
Belarus
Bulgaria
North Macedonia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Thailand
India
Indonesia
Maldives
Iran
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Iraq
Egypt
Lebanon
Pakistan
Bangladesh
United States
Canada
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Algeria
Cameroon
Peru
Ecuador
Andorra
Albania
Cyprus
Montenegro
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Serbia
Turkey
Ukraine
Legal language and Articles aside, what does this mean for travellers and residents/citizens of Croatia who are entering from the aforementioned list of countries?
If you’re travelling to Croatia from one of the countries listed above, you need to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Croatia. If you live in Croatia, you need to prove you have an address here. This can be done by showing your ID/residence card which will have your address written on it at the border. You will then be allowed to enter and you must proceed directly to that address.
If you’re visiting, you need to be able to show proof that you have accommodation for that period and then do the same.
Can I leave my house/my accommodation during that 14-day period?
No, you must not leave your home/accommodation during that period of time. You are under strict control and you will be fined if you do so for endangering public health. This same measure is in place for nationals who are coronavirus suspects or patients.
I’ve read about the control of foreign nationals in the Republic of Croatia. What does that mean?
Healthy foreign nationals entering the Republic of Croatia from the affected areas (listed countries) with widespread or local COVID-19 transmission will be subject to 14 days of self-isolation after leaving the affected area (except for countries/areas listed as particularly risky under point 1.1, for which organised quarantine is now envisaged).
These persons are subject to health surveillance undertaken by the Croatian authorities during their 14 days of self-isolation.
Foreign citizens who do not hold permanent residence in Croatia must have proof of secured accommodation in Croatia during for their 14-day period of self-isolation upon entering Croatian territory. If they are staying in Croatia for a short period of time, they may leave Croatia before the expiry of those 14 days if they are deemed to be healthy.
What is the actual purpose of these strict self-isolation measures?
A person suffering from COVID-19 is contagious from the moment the virus enters the body, at a time when the symptoms are very mild or may not even be present yet. The purpose of home quarantine/self-isolation is to reduce that person’s number of contacts to the absolute minimum at the time of infection to try to stop the spread of the virus, which, on a larger scale aims to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the general population.
Will I be given any documents upon arrival at the Croatian border?
You will be asked the country you are arriving from, to which you must give an honest response. Upon proving that you are a legal resident of the Republic of Croatia and have an address, or that you have secured, previously arranged accommodation, you will be given a document attesting to your mandatory self-isolation.
What do I need to do after being given the document and being allowed to pass through the Croatian border?
Basic instructions for the proper conduction of self-isolation will be provided to you upon arrival in the Republic of Croatia. Those instructions will also include a link to the Croatian Institute for Public Health (we will link that website a little further down this page).
Please then proceed as soon as possible directly to your home or your previously arranged accommodation and contact the epidemiologist responsible for the territory in which you’re self-isolating on the first following business day. The contact details of the epidemiologist you will need to contact will be provided to you. They are also listed by county here and should there be an issue with that website, click here.
You will need to inform them of your details and your self-isolation status.
Coronaviruses have been around since the dawn of time, but COVID-19 is a new virus, therefore, its behaviour may change. This is an unprecedented situation and while the authorities are acting accordingly, mistakes may happen and information might be misunderstood, if you are unsure or are not explicitly told what to do, please make sure to ask the border officer.
As stated, you must not leave your home or place of stay during the self-isolation period.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19? What must I do if I begin to develop them?
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 and respiratory issues (the onset of a fever, a cough, shortness of breath, a sore or irritating throat, muscle weakness and fatigue), contact 112 by phone immediately. You will then be evaluated for the need for coronavirus testing based on your state of health.
Do not go to a healthcare facility on your own without having given the proper notice via the channel detailed above.
If you develop symptoms of respiratory illness or fever while in self-isolation and under health surveillance, the epidemiologist, in consultation with a physician, will treat you as being a COVID-19 suspect and place your contacts under medical supervision.
Can I receive guests during my self-isolation?
You cannot receive guests during your 14 days of self-isolation unless necessary for the delivery of medicine, food, or other necessary supplies. If you are elderly or have a chronic illness, keep your contact with others to a minimum, avoid physical contact and keep a distance of two metres between you and the people you need to contact.
How can I learn more about Croatia’s approach to coronavirus?
The protocol for dealing with coronavirus is constantly changing and growing more strict as time goes on. Bookmark and keep an eye on the Croatian Institute for Public Health’s website for updates on Croatia’s procedures. You can also contact your doctor or your local epidemiologist for the territory in which you’re self-isolating for anything you’re unsure of.
Bookmark the embassy websites of your countries, follow their Facebook/Twitter pages and follow your government’s official advice via their respective websites.
You can follow our dedicated section for more on coronavirus in Croatia. We will issue rolling information in English as soon as we get it, as well as daily updates for borders, travel, entrance and exit procedures, data on new cases and more.
