Legal entities could be fined between HRK 20,000 and 70,000 if they do not adhere to decisions of the national COVID response team, the head of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak, said on Monday.

“Until now we had recommendations, but as of today they are decisions subject to inspection,” he said on Nova TV.

Capak said there was still no provision on fining individuals but that the law envisaged a link which was now being discussed.

He said that wearing masks in all public indoor spaces was mandatory as of today, except in gyms.

As for All Saints’ Day, Capak said they had asked local COVID response teams to organise more frequent bus lines to cemeteries and to restrict the number of people. If necessary, he added, the national COVID response team will define measures.

He said the first coronavirus vaccine could be on the market by the end of the year, adding that the Oxford vaccine could be approved very soon and that the first tranche would include 200,000 to 400,000 doses.

Capak said the flu vaccine was already in Croatia and that vaccination was expected to start by the end of the week, with 250,000 doses ensured in the first tranche for vulnerable groups.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)