The head of the Istria County COVID-19 response team, Dino Kozlevac, confirmed to Hina on Wednesday that the county had asked to be exempt from the new, stricter epidemiological measures the government would announce on Thursday.

The new restrictions refer, among other things, to the countrywide closing of bars and restaurants.

“Unlike bars and restaurants in some other parts of Croatia, those in Istria are currently not a hotspot. That is why we ask that hospitality establishments in Istria continue working, initially for the next eight days, after which the epidemiological situation in Istria would be assessed,” said Kozlevac.

Croatia on Wednesday reported a record 3,603 coronavirus infections and 56 COVID-19 fatalities.