Experts demand that stricter epidemiological measures be introduced right away and that the restrictions in force in Varazdin County be introduced countrywide, the Vecernji List daily Tuesday issue reported.

Many of the prominent scientists sitting on the government’s scientific advisory council are in favour of urgently introducing stricter epidemiological measures than those in force, the daily says.

“Among other things, once should try to limit family gatherings because at this stage of the epidemic, such gatherings are sufficient for the uncontrolled spreading of the virus. I can understand why one is not opting for a complete closure, not only of businesses but also of schools, notably lower grades, but some activities that include gatherings as the main source of the spreading of the virus must simply be banned and breaches must be penalised,” said one of Croatia’s leading viral immunologists, Stipan Jonjic.

Epidemiologist Branko Kolaric says that over the past 14 days Croatia has been fourth in the EU in terms of the number of new infections, with an incidence of 894.7 infections per 100,000 inhabitants, and that only Austria, Slovenia and Luxembourg are worse in that regard.

Some EU countries were right to introduce stricter measures before the surge in the number of new infections and they did so exactly to prevent it, says Kolaric.