"There is no such thing as a Covid passport, but that there is a certificate of vaccination against coronavirus which could be used for medical purposes," Croatia's chief epidemiologist, Krunoslav Capak, told reporters on Tuesday.

Capak was asked to comment on what the media have dubbed “Covid passports” – documents allowing vaccinated people to cross international borders.

“We cannot really speak about Covid passports, the system is not yet defined. However, it is certain that for the foreseeable future decisions on whether someone can cross borders will be based on vaccination certificates,” Capak told the press in Zagreb, adding that it would be in Croatia’s interest to support any such proposal.

Capak cited the example of Greece and Israel, which agreed mutual recognition of vaccination certificates. However, Croatia has not yet agreed anything similar with any other country.

Capak hinted that the mass vaccination program might help in attracting visitors to the country during this summer season.

“We will certainly inoculate a great portion of the population, and we will try to administer shots to workers in tourism,” he said, adding that “it is still uncertain whether the certificates would be recognised for vaccines approved in the EU only.”

He told the press that he still could not say what the anti-epidemic rules would look like after 15 March, when the government’s task force is set to reconvene to decide on restrictions.

“It is too early to give such information,” Capak said.