April left us with positive and negative moments and others of great uncertainty. Croatia went through its worst stage during the epidemiological crisis ever since the pandemic began just over a year ago, marked not only by the increase in infections but also by the failure of the virtual vaccination portal. Questions towards the government, the rowing world cup in Zagreb, new measures to try to tackle the pandemic: here’s a quick review of this week in news.
New measures announced to try to deal with the pandemic
Measures will relax when it comes to the sale of alcohol prohibition hours (Credits: Pixsell)
After a month in which the epidemiological situation in the country was marked by an increase in infections in the country, the Croatian Civil Protection Directorate announced on April 30 that containment measures, instead of being tightened up, will instead be relaxed. One such measure relaxation is that the prohibition hours for the sale of alcohol will no longer be from 20:00 but from 22:00, and will continue to last until 06:00. Similarly, the service hours of catering and hospitality facilities will be from 06:00 until 22:00 and not until 20:00, as things stood previously.
Changes in the Croatian vaccine rollout
Health Minister Vili Beroš shared news this week about changes on the vaccination plan (Credits: Pixsell)
The colossal failure of the Cijepi se platform, available for Croatian residents to virtually enroll in the vaccination process in the country, produced a wave of criticism towards the government. Thus, on April 30, Health Minister Vili Beroš announced that the vaccination plan will be carried out differently. Beroš invited Croatia’s residents to register with their family doctors either in person or by phone, in such a way that they can prepare a record of those registered and thus be able to send them the date, time, and place to go for their coronavirus vaccination. He also announced that more vaccines will be arriving in the coming days, as well as an increase in vaccination points. Finally, he motivated the population to continue obeying the epidemiological measures to fight the virus, even though the numbers in recent weeks have decreased.
For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, including travel, border and quarantine rules, as well as the locations of vaccination points and testing centres across the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section.
Croatian National Recovery and Resilience Plan arrives at the European Committee
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced and supported the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in public (Credits: Pixsell)
The Croatian Government adopted the National Recovery and Resilience Plan this week, with a value of 49 billion kuna to be executed in the period between 2021 and 2027, and which will be presented at the offices of the European Committee. The 1,100-page document contains descriptions of 77 reforms and 152 investment plans, to be covered by European Union funds. The plan, which has been the target of questions and criticism, seeks to strengthen sectors such as business; public administration, justice and the state; education; science; research; the labour market; social protection; healthcare; and the “Reconstruction of buildings” initiative. Despite concerns, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković affirmed that it is a key document that will allow the country to raise its economy and be more resistant to future crises.
For more about politics in Croatia, make sure to check out our dedicated section.
Gold for Croatia at the Zagreb Rowing World Cup
Brothers Valent and Martin Sinković won gold at the Zagreb Rowing World Cup at Lake Jarun (Credits: Pixsell)
It was a week of a lot of sporting activity in the country. As the World Rally Championship in Croatia unfolded successfully, the FIA announced that the country will be the host of the WRC calendar for two more years. But, without a doubt, the most special of this week in the sports field in Croatia has been the Zagreb Rowing World Cup, where athletes from all over the world competed on Lake Jarun. The event was a very significant one, as the brothers Valent and Martin Sinković, as well as the sisters Ivana and Josipa Jurković; took the gold yesterday, on May 1st. Both pairs of siblings achieved the feat in the category of coxless pairs.
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Direct flights from New York and Los Angeles to Dubrovnik this summer
Three weekly flights from New York and Los Angeles to Dubrovnik will start in June 2021 (Credits: Pixsell)
And in our latest and most recent highlight of the week, Pragusa.One announced today that three weekly flights from the cities of Los Angeles and New York to the city of Dubrovnik have been confirmed for the month of June. The great relationship between the two countries, as well as the positive situation of the vaccination process in the United States, promises at least one nice summer season for American tourists interested in visiting the Pearl of the Adriatic and its surroundings. The inaugural flight from New York will take place on June 21, and the following day a flight will depart Los Angeles. From then on, three flights per week will be scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
For the latest flight updates, check out the TC Flights to Croatia page.
From Monday to Sunday, we list five events featured on the front pages of Croatia’s news portals.
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