March is off to a fabulous start as cafe terraces around Croatia reopen for the first time in three months.
Recall, the National Civil Protection Headquarters announced last week that cafe terraces would reopen, but still under some strict guidelines. Namely, catering facilities can operate from 6 am to 10 pm, but only in open areas of the facility, while respecting the distance between guests of a minimum of three meters between tables and 1.5 meters between chairs. Terraces with plexiglass must be opened to allow airflow.
Hand disinfectant should also be available at the entrance, and masks are required when going to the toilet indoors, which must be clearly stated.
Music was originally banned, but the associations of musicians and caterers reached an agreement with the Headquarters, so music is also allowed, provided it is not too loud.
On a sunny morning in Split, with temperatures already reaching 14 degrees Celsius by 10 am, eager citizens flocked to cafe terraces around the city, and especially to the beloved Riva, where they had to fight for benches or enjoy hot drinks propped up against walls until now.
Waiters expect the biggest buzz around noon, though many early birds could hardly wait to reinstate their morning ritual – coffee, newspaper, and good company.
In the past 24 hours, 91 new coronavirus infections and 11 related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 response team said on Monday.
There are currently 2,892 active cases, including 791 hospitalized patients, 64 of whom are on ventilators.
Since 25 February 2020, when the first case was registered in Croatia, 243,064 cases have been registered, including 5,537 deaths.
A total of 234,635 patients have recovered, including 401 in the past 24 hours.
Currently, 14,074 people are self-isolating.
To date, 1,346,946 people have been tested for the virus, including 2,294 in the past 24 hours.
Photos by Mirela Rus
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