Croatia to adopt new anti-COVID measures by week's end

Additional restrictions on gatherings, shortened opening hours of hospitality services, working from home and organising work in shifts are being mulled.

"We have high numbers. It is is a fact that our numbers are stagnating but at a high level. From the epidemiological aspect, we have one of the highest incidence rates in Europe," he said explaining that on the scale from low to high rates, Croatia ranks 23rd, and only five more EU members have higher rates.

Capak added that about ten counties have already introduced more stringent measures than those in force at the national level.

Two counties in the north of Croatia have an exceptionally high incidence rate and the average in Croatia at the moment is more than 800 per 100,000 population, he said.

"Compared to last week, new cases are increasing at a rate of 7.7% this week ,whereas last week that was 4.4.%. That is twice as much and we cannot be satisfied," said Capak.

The local COVID response team in Varazdin County has requested even more stringent measures which will on the most part be adopted except for the request for schools to go online which needs to be decided by the relevant minister.