December 22, 2020 – E-passes in Croatia come into force at midnight. On the first day they were issued (December 21), 60% were rejected.
Index.hr reports that on the first day of issuing e-passes, by 6 pm, more than 17,000 requests were resolved, and 60% were rejected.
As a reminder, from midnight on Tuesday to Wednesday, the Headquarters’ decision comes into force, which prohibits travel to other counties from the place of residence or stay. Those who still want to travel must have an e-pass.
On Monday, the epropusnice.gov.hr webpage where you can apply for passes began working. By 6 pm, more than 35,000 pass requests had been submitted.
Interior Minister and head of the Civil Protection Headquarters Davor Bozinovic said for HRT on Monday night that by then, more than half of the requests for passes had been rejected.
“According to my information, more than 60 percent of the requests for e-passes have been rejected,” Bozinovic said.
He said that the requirements for issuing passes are different. Still, most applications were submitted by companies that plan to continue operating, adding that the decision is temporary and preventive.
“It is preventive in the sense that people are encouraged to make as few close contacts as possible, especially when it comes to family reunification, which is often the case during the holidays, especially Christmas and New Year,” Bozinovic said.
“People who do not have the conditions to cross the county border by any means of transport will be warned. Police officers have been engaged 24 hours a day since the beginning of the epidemic, and now about 800 police officers will be engaged at about 200 checkpoints to implement the travel ban between counties,” he said.
Bozinovic also commented on the questionable constitutionality of the decision on the travel ban, stating that the Constitutional Court had already decided on the constitutionality of the Headquarters’ decisions. To put it mildly, this is a questionable claim, as the Constitutional Court has not ruled on this particular ban on travel between counties.
“I think this decision is proportionate, preventive; it should last until January 8. It is preventive in addition to not only sending a message but also limiting contacts that are most common at this time of year and can cause a bad epidemiological situation after the New Year,” said Bozinovic.
Bozinovic emphasized that the Government had already communicated before that a curfew would not be introduced and that a total lockdown would not be established.
“We are sticking to it, and we manage to balance it, of course, first of all, taking care of the protection of life and health of the population, but the economy is also important. The numbers have been falling lately, and we hope they won’t need to implement and make decisions on tougher measures. However, these measures could in principle be extended because we are at such a time of year when the virus is particularly virulent and spreads rapidly, especially indoors,” he added.
Bozinovic’s deputy Damir Trut also spoke about the passes on Dnevnik Nova TV.
“More than 35,000 requests were received by 6 pm. Thousands of emails were received in which citizens demanded a certain activity and a large number of phone calls. 50 percent were processed, of those 50 percent, 60 percent were rejected,” Trut said.
He revealed why citizens are looking for e-passes. “They usually apply because of work, business reasons, or visiting parents or relatives.”
Citizens have complained that it is almost impossible to get someone in the contact center.
“Today, there are 23 employees. There are several calls from citizens. It was technically impossible to answer everyone, so there is a voice machine, but there is no need to call. On koronavirus.hr, on the pages of Civil Protection, there are instructions you can read. There are answers to all the questions, and it is stated who can request an e-pass,” he explained.
He also stated that the police will have 200 checkpoints and 800 police officers. “People will likely try to pass without passes, but I believe that our citizens are conscientious and will respect the measures. The measures are there to protect us from infection,” he notes.
He also explained what will happen if someone from Zagreb is found in Bjelovar. “The police have their own procedures. Of course, if they detect such a person, the police will escort them back. They will record them, and they will continue to go to trial,” he says.
He also explained what the bus control would look like. “Police will be able to get on the buses and check to see if all passengers have e-passes,” he said.
And what about people who, for example, booked accommodation in Lika from Zagreb? Is it enough for them to show the reservation at the checkpoint, or do they need something else?
“All these citizens must request an e-pass and enclose a paid bill that must be paid by the day the decision takes effect. After that, they have the right and opportunity to obtain a pass,” he explained.
Everything you need to know about getting e-passes in Croatia can be found HERE.
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