The first coronavirus case in Croatia was registered a year ago today. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Plenković said that from day one the necessary protective equipment had been provided and the continuation of education and activities in culture and the arts taken into account.
The economy has been taken into account the entire time, he said. “Job-retention measures have been very abundant. We never thought we would give so much money to retain jobs in the private sector, to workers, employers.”
Pensions have been paid as well and the number of the jobless has been as before the pandemic, Plenković said.
“And we have done all that while ensuring financial stability in such a way that Croatia is keeping its investment credit rating and stepping through the European Exchange Rate Mechanism towards the euro area… We have concluded good financial arrangements both with the HNB (Croatian National Bank) and the European Central Bank, with Croatian banks and pension funds, with all stakeholders who have made it possible for everything to function.”
Plenković regretted that certain activities had been restricted. “That’s not something we are doing because we want to, it’s what all governments are doing, all countries around the world, to protect people’s health.”
Vaccine distribution needs to be stepped up
Plenković said he would push for stepping up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at EU level which, he added, the European Council would discuss today, in order to vaccinate as many people as soon as possible, notably those most vulnerable.
“I’m confident the announcement of 700,000 doses in total by the end of March will be a strong barrier against the spread of the epidemic, and we expect even larger quantities. Our message today will also go to the EMA (European Medicines Agency) to approve vaccines more quickly, first and foremost Johnson&Johnson’s, which is under way and which we have ordered in 900,000 doses.”
Plenković said the government had reserved the vaccines on time, even more than necessary in order to vaccinate everyone over 18 years of age, with 6.8 million doses ordered to date. “We will continue to make an effort, the responsibility is big.”
He extended his condolences to the families of the 5,500 Croatian citizens who have died “of COVID or with COVID.”
“Those are great losses. We sympathise with their families. We regret it very much. And I thank all fellow citizens for behaving responsibly and understanding the context which has been going on for a year and which no one could have planned for.”
