Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that there had never been any talk of introducing a police curfew, claiming that Croatia is not in an emergency situation and that a total lockdown is not an option.

“Police curfew – that was never discussed. A lockdown that would mean a complete shut-down and restricting work, not allowing movement between cities, counties or municipalities without a pass, is not an option,” Plenkovic told reporters ahead of a HDZ parliamentary caucus meeting.

He added that not any other European country has opted for the level of restrictions that were imposed during the spring.

The effect of those measures on the economy, financial situation and business climate in society, would not be good, he said, instead its effects would be exclusively negative.

The Prime Minister underlined that their strategy is proportional to the threat they are faced with.

The authorities are attempting to appeal to all, with full respect of the high level of awareness by our citizens, that coronavirus is not some harmless disease. It is a disease that people are dying from it and we are having economic consequences because of it, he added.

“That is why together we have to show solidarity and the wish to resolve that together,” he said.

Croatia is not in an extraordinary situation

Asked to comment on a statement by President Zoran Milanovic that neither the premier nor the HZJZ head, epidemiologist Krunoslav Capak, could decide on a new lockdown but that it was within the remit of the Croatian parliament, Plenkovic said that Croatia was not in a state of emergency, explaining that all other countries are also faced with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Someone who constantly wants to undermine the fight against coronavirus, keeps denying the credibility of the entire process. They who have the jurisdiction under the law, will make the decisions – the government and the national Covid-19 crisis management team,” said Plenkovic.

Plenkovic denied the allegations that the situation at the KB Dubrava hospital was alarming, saying that he expects all medical services for patients in that hospital to be at the usual level. “I think that KB Dubrava hospital – as it has shown all these months, all its doctors, nurses and staff, will do their utmost for patients’ needs,” he said.