For the latest March 20 update click here.
March 12, 2020 – There are 27 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Croatia. Foreign nationals entering Croatia from infection hotspots will be subject to a 14-day quarantine, while a 14-day self-isolation is required for Croatian citizens.
Information on countries and areas under travel restrictions for passengers arriving in Croatia can be found here (courtesy of Croatia Airlines).
Today, the Civil Protection Staff of Croatia is banning all events with over 100 people. Several upcoming events have been cancelled. Updates to follow.
More than 4,970 people are dead from the virus, which originated in Wuhan City, China; and over 134,475 cases have been confirmed globally. There are 53,679 cases outside of mainland China and 15,113 in Italy.
*Follow this page for updates on the coronavirus in Croatia from Total Croatia News. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.
Twenty-Seven Coronavirus Cases in Croatia
As of March 12, 2020; twenty-seven coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been reported in Croatia: 10 in Zagreb, 8 in Rijeka, 4 in Varaždin, 4 in Pula and 1 in Petrinja (Numbers on map updated).
- The first patient from Zagreb became infected during his stay in Italy. The two other patients are close contacts. The third patient recently returned from a ski trip in Austria. The fourth patient is a hairdresser and recently came back from a conference in Munich. Five new cases were confirmed Wednesday and Thursday. The latest patients returned from trips to Austria and Germany.
- A patient from Rijeka became infected during his stay in Italy. The four other patients are close contacts. As of today 3 more cases from Rijeka, all of whom had contact with previous cases.
- The first patient from Varaždin spent time in Italy. The second case is a truck driver who had been in Italy and was in preventative self-isolation. The third and fourth cases are close contacts of the driver.
- Both patients in Pula had recently returned from Italy. Two additional cases were reported today and both had returned from Italy.
- The first confirmed patient from Petrinja (confirmed today) returned from Italy.
UPDATED: March 12, 2020 23:00 CET (Central European Time)
Croatia National Civil Protection Headquarters Update
At the daily press briefing, as reported by Index, which began today at 16:00 CET, Croatian Health Minister Vili Beroš confirmed that there are five new cases of infection in Croatia, for a total of 24 total cases (end-of-day: 27 cases). Among these, three contacts of patients from Rijeka are currently under supervision and have very mild symptoms. They had been in self-isolation and there is no evidence that they had violated that order.
The other two infections were contracted in Germany and Austria. One is of moderate severe symptoms while the other has with mild symptoms,” said Alemka Markotić.
Gatherings, Events Limited to 100 People
The president of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, Davor Božinović, reported that the headquarters is limiting public gatherings to 100 people. Minister Božinović said that the situation in Europe was not good and that Croatia was introducing new measures to stop the spread of the virus.
“The best protection is to follow all our instructions,” Božinović said.
“The best way to protect yourself is to strictly adhere to the instructions we cite. Personal hygiene, avoiding certain types of social contact, following HZJZ instructions … If we do not adhere to this, all measures will have a limited effect,” Božinović added.
All Sporting Events Held Without Spectators
He also spoke about strict border measures and other measures being taken. He added that public gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100 people.
“All sporting events should be held without spectators. We have expanded the list of countries that will be subject to tighter border controls when their nationals arrive in Croatia. These are Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Spain and Sweden,” Božinović added.
No Time to Travel
Božinović said this was not the time to travel outside Croatia and recommended that citizens not travel. He also spoke about some social media posts, saying that they were lies.
Whoever Breaks Self Isolation Will be Criminally Liable
“The goal of these conferences is to keep citizens informed in a timely and truthful manner. That is why we will have a conference tomorrow at 9:00 CET. Some irresponsible individuals are using this situation to raise social tensions. The police will locate and sanction those who do,” Božinović said.
Capak said it was also a crime to violate quarantine or self-isolation and put others at risk of becoming infected. There are currently 5900 people in self-isolation, and it is impossible to control everyone’s behavior.
Brother of First Coronavirus Patient Recovered, Released from Hospital
Earlier today, Minister Will Beroš confirmed that the brother of the first coronavirus patient had been released from the Infectious Diseases Clinic “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic” after his test findings were negative twice, while brother and his girlfriend were still in the hospital.
The Minister of Health added that the recommendations issued by the National Headquarters are controllable and effective, but bans will be enacted, if necessary, given the situation.
Croatia and Regional Daily Updates
(Updates provided by Index)
21:00 – Two more cases of infection in Croatia have been confirmed. These are Croatian citizens who came back from Italy and were hospitalized in Pula. There are now 27 people with the coronavirus in Croatia, according to a brief statement from the National Civil Protection Headquarters.
19:43 – According to the recommendation of the Central State Office for Sport, the Croatian Football Federation has decided to suspend all football competitions until March 31, 2020.
19:40 – The University of Zagreb has postponed all activities which are not directly related to teaching, and rector Damir Boras has provided instructions to the University of Zagreb staff on how to deal with the coronavirus epidemic. The dormitories must elevate hygiene measures and increase the availability of disinfectants. At the Faculty of Political Science (FPZG), all meetings, including teaching (lectures in compulsory subjects) academic and public events, with one hundred or more participants, are suspended until further notice. Classes with less than one hundred participants will be held, but attendance is optional.
19:00 – All cultural and artistic programs and public events in the European Capital of Culture project announced in the calendar of events up to April 14 are postponed until further notice, Rijeka 2020, the company managing the ECOC, reported.
18:33 – Another person with the coronavirus has been confirmed at the Infectious Diseases Clinic “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic” in Zagreb. The patient was hospitalized in Sisak. This person came back from Italy, where she worked. She reported herself to the border police officer and was still subject to the necessary protocol.
18:00 – The Civil Protection Crisis Headquarters of the Split-Dalmatia County reported on Thursday that there would be no class cancellations or school closures in that county.
Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor Luka Brcic said there were 28 people quarantined in Split’s Duilovo, including nine Croat citizens, foreigners remained, and one citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina went to his country. Other passengers aboard the “Marko Polo” ship that marched from Ancona to Split’s port on Wednesday are in self-isolation.
There are still no infected people in the Split-Dalmatia County, and the situation with the passengers is satisfactory given that none of them shows any signs of illness.
17:29 – Two gynecologists were sent to isolation from the Clinic for Female Diseases and Births in Split. According to Dalmatinski portal, one was in the company of a coronavirus positive hairstylist and the other was at a ski resort from where the number of infected people is growing rapidly.
17:20 – According to Dalmacija danas, cases of home isolation were also reported in Šolta. The information was confirmed by the mayor of Šolta, Nikola Cecić-Karuzić.
“Two Croatian nationals who were temporarily working in Italy until yesterday are in home isolation on Solta,” he said.
17:11 – The Director of the Institute of Public Health of the County of Istria, Aleksandar Stojanovic, confirmed on Thursday that they are awaiting the findings of test samples from four people who reported yesterday with a mild case of the coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
16:49 – Coronavirus cases in KBC Zagreb are delaying any medical check-ups which are not necessary. At Split KBC they are performing only emergency operations. In KBC Sestre milosrdnice (Sisters of Mercy) they have issued instructions regarding a strict protocol for staff and patients.
16:44 – Two-thirds of tradesmen are already feeling the effects of coronavirus and are reporting a decline in revenue of more than 30 percent, the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) reported today, based on the latest survey data.
16:27 – At a meeting at the Rijeka Mayor’s Office on Thursday, it was decided to postpone all cultural events in the institutions of the City of Rijeka until April 14, Mayor Vojko Obersnel reported.
“We made the decision in view of the pandemic’s development and the fact that the Crisis Staff of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County requested the suspension of classes in kindergartens, schools and colleges until April 14,” Obersnel said.
16:17 – Minister Vili Beroš has confirmed that there are five new cases of infection in Croatia, now there are 24. There are contacts with patients previously ill from Rijeka. They were confirmed during the night. They are under supervision and have very mild symptoms.
As for the two infected who came from Austria or Germany, one with moderate symptoms and the other with milder symptoms, said Alemka Markotić.
Markotić said that false information to hide the exact number of infected insults all health professionals who trying and working so hard.
16:03 – The Lika-Senj County Civil Protection Headquarters on Thursday recommended the postponement of all organized public, cultural, sports and other gatherings indoors to prevent coronavirus infection and its spread. The headquarters also recommended the postponement of all planned trips and excursions outside Croatia, noting that the epidemiological situation in the area of Lika-Senj County is favorable and that all necessary measures are continued to maintain it.
Epidemiologist of the Institute for Public Health reported that in the Lika-Senj County, coronavirus surveillance was assigned to 222 people, 187 persons expired and 35 more were actively monitored, and coronavirus testing was performed on seven people and all findings are negative.
15:50 – In Serbia, all public gatherings indoors attended by more than 100 people have been banned since Thursday, and one of the government’s measures to curb the spread of coronaviruses and more effective control of passengers in international traffic is to temporarily close 44 less frequent border crossings.
15:30 – The City of Zagreb has issued an appeal to citizens regarding the coronavirus. See document.
APEL Građanima Grada Zagreb… by Index.hr on Scribd
15:21 – The HAC also released a statement on the coronavirus outbreak.
“As protection and prevention measures against the coronavirus have been raised throughout Croatia, and as part of an effort to minimize the possibility of transmission, the Croatian Highways urge all users planning a highway trip these days to use contactless payment whenever possible via the ENC device. This minimizes the possibility of transmission of the infection through cash and cards, but also speeds up travel time only”.
In addition, they add that the cost of using ENC devices is 40 percent lower.
14:55 – Nela Sršljen provided an update from Italy. She says the Italians have responded well to the quarantine, but that even more drastic measures would be introduced. She also says a virologist friend told her this was just the beginning.
14:51 – “One of the employees of the Fund was contacted by the Epidemiological Service of the City of Zagreb and was warned that it was recorded that she had been in contact with the person identified as COVID-19. The worker was immediately sent to a 14-day self-isolation unit. The Fund immediately informed the Croatian Institute of Public Health and is complying fully with the protocol for the above situation.
In order to protect other employees, office space was promptly disinfected, and employees who were in contact with the said person would be released home by Monday. In coordination with the Crisis Staff and the Public Health Institute, the Fund will take any further necessary action,” the Environmental Protection Fund said.
14:49 – Coronavirus symptoms have not yet been confirmed in any person in Međimurje County, so far there are no instructions for self-isolation of persons who came from Slovenia, Austria and Germany, and the Institute of Public Health is calling on citizens to behave responsibly.
14:30 – As we learned, up to 11 people were able to enter the Siemens building this morning, and there was also a disinfection service.
14:27 – Some of the Environmental Fund employees were sent home because they were in contact with a female who had contact with a coronavirus infected hairdresser. As the spokeswoman told us, about 40 or 50 employees were sent home because one person was in contact with the infected person.
14:00 – The Istria headquarters have released new information. It was decided that cafes could only stay open until 18:00 CET.
13:59 – Varazdin will no longer issue licenses for meetings with more than 100 people.
13:52 – The Zagreb Faculty of Political Science will also introduce online lectures.
“We urge students to monitor the reports on relevant services in a rapidly changing situation. If there is a complete suspension of teaching at the Faculty; teachers will contact their students and inform them of continuing lectures through the Faculty’s web pages and/or other digital channels. The summer semester classes will go ahead anyway. If necessary, they will be held remotely,” reads a Facebook post.
13:41 – A Siemens d.d. employee was discharged from her Zagreb headquarters to prevent the spread of a coronavirus case, which infected one of the employees. As we learned from a foreign service employee who answered the phone at the Siemens headquarters in Zagreb’s Heinzelova Ulica, there were no longer any employees in the building. “Everything is closed for quarantine and there are no staff members,” he said.
13:29 – Health Minister Vili Beroš confirmed that they released the brother of the first coronavirus patient from the Clinic for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihajevic”after his test findings were negative twice, while first patient and his girlfriend are still in the hospital.
13:15 – Beljak: We have closed the market in Samobor and have restricted gatherings.
12:40 – Miroslav Skoro said the situation was serious. He says that it is not easy for the government either and that in these situations they must be outstanding.
12:35 – Jandrokovic does not rule out the possibility of postponing elections in the HDZ.
12:10 – MOST MP Ines Strenja praised the work of the National Civil Protection Headquarters who have transparently and repeatedly presented all information on the coronavirus which the public should accept as fact as they are “health professionals” and understand the gravity of the situation.
Strenja told reporters that there was no room for comments, newspaper articles and “experts trying to present a different image and send a different message to the public about the coronavirus.
11:55 – SDP’s Gordan Maras posted on Facebook.
“We cannot completely prevent the worldwide coronavirus pandemic in Croatia. Unfortunately, there will be a lot of people who are sick and probably will be deceased. What we can do is prepare and take steps to keep the number of infected as small as possible and to prevent the disease from getting worse in the shorter term.”
11:35 – The town Supetar on Brac introduced drastic measures. There are no public gatherings, the library closes, sports events are postponed.
11:30 – In accordance with the decision of the Government, Croatian Radio and Television, in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Education, will implement the TV curriculum and distance learning. From Monday March 16 at 8:00 a program called School on Channel 3 will broadcast at the Channel of HRT.
11:20 – “Postpone all meetings in Zagreb County”
The Headquarters of the Zagreb County Civilian Protection Board recommends postponing all rallies and organized gatherings, regardless of size, in the Zagreb County area.
The Zagreb County Civil Protection Headquarters will no longer issue approvals for holding public gatherings in the Zagreb County area.
“Please note that the City of Zagreb is not part of the Zagreb County (the Zagreb City Civil Protection Headquarters is responsible for events in the Zagreb area).
The cities of the Zagreb County include Dugo Selo, Ivanic-Grad, Jastrebarsko, Samobor, Sveta Nedelja, Sveti Ivan Zelina, Velika Gorica, Vrbovec, Zapresic…
If, despite the recommendation of the County Headquarters, the organizers decide to hold a public gathering, they are obliged to implement all the highest hygiene standards prescribed by the Civil Protection Staff of the Republic of Croatia and assume full responsibility for the safety of all participants and visitors of the public gathering.
Again, the organizers of the gathering are required to:
- Provide checkpoints with disinfectants
- Provide clear instruction to participants to refrain from habitual non-verbal communication involving handling and avoid closer social contact
- Give clear instruction to participants if they have respiratory disease and/or fever (greater than 37.5 ° C) not to attend events
11:00 – Serbia closed part of the border with Croatia.
10:57 – Jure Kaštelan elementary school in Zagreb’s Savica is functioning normally today, after it was learned yesterday that the mother of a girl who attends the school tested positive for the coronavirus.
10:35 – The session of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality The Istanbul Convention was postponed until further notice for “epidemiological reasons” because the number of those interested in attending the session was more than a hundred.
10:29 – Health Minister Vili Beroš announced at a government session a new measure to curb the spread of coronavirus, which recommends delaying or restricting gatherings with more than a hundred people.
It is also suggested to hold sports competitions without spectators.
The National Civil Protection Headquarters, at a meeting with Prime Minister Andrei Plenkovic on Wednesday at Banski Dvori, decided to introduce new measures – schools will be closed in Istria on Friday and there will be no classes.
10:25 – Zagreb Stock Exchange Drops More Than 10 Percent, Trading Discontinued.
10:20 – The HDZ will be holding elections on Sunday. Tomo Medved has announced that they will go forward as planned.
10:02 – Eventim HR has launched a separate tab on their website, “COVID-19 EVENT INFORMATION”, which contains all information about postponed events, related to the government’s recommendation to postpone all organized rallies with more than 1000 people.
9:50 – The chief adviser to the Minister of Education, Marko Kosicek, said that the schools were yesterday instructed how to prepare for virtual classes if the coronavirus outbreak prompts school closures, and stressed that they must prepare regardless of when the model is launched.
9:50 – The Minister of Environment and Energy Tomislav Coric says that people spreading false news about the coronavirus should be held criminally responsible, and Interior Ministers Davor Božinović and Justice Drazen Bosnjakovic announced an investigation into these individuals.
7:30 – A video with false information about Zagreb being quarantined is spreading to social networks.
(Updates provided by Index)
Live World Coronavirus Updates
- Live world updates from CNN here.
- Live world updates from The Guardian here.
- Live world updates from Al Jazeera here.
Live Health Organization Coronavirus Updates
- Live updated international map tracking spread of coronavirus from Johns Hopkins CSSE here.
- Live updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) here.
- Live updates from the Croatian Institute of Public Health (daily updates at 15:00 CET in Croatian) here.
Total Croatia News Coronavirus Coverage
- Minister Maric: Shorter Work Week is Possible Because of COVID-19 – here.
- Croatian Scientist Igor Rudan Provides COVID-19 Quarantine Clarity – here.
- COVID-19 Update: Partial Serbia-Croatia Border Closures, Meets of 100+ Banned – here.
- After Banning Fans, HNS Suspends All Croatian Football Games Until March 31 – here.
- Croatian Cultural Institutions Cancel Events Until April – here.
- Preparatory Plans Change for Croatia National Team as Doha Tournament Canceled – here.
UPDATED: March 12, 2020 23:00 CET (Central European Time)
For the latest March 20 update click here.
*Follow this page for updates on the coronavirus in Croatia from Total Croatia News. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.
