Only immunisation against coronavirus can help stop the spread of the virus, and the purpose of the latest epidemiological restrictions is to enable the healthcare system to continue functioning, the head of Croatia's COVID-19 crisis management team, Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, said on Friday.

“We are now in a situation when we must impose stricter rules, although we tried to avoid them. However, it is not just us; the rest of Europe will have to take more stringent measures. The only way to halt the virus is to get immunised,” Bozinovic said at a news conference presenting a new set of anti-epidemic measures.

Restrictions for gatherings will go into force on Saturday, November 6.

Broader use of COVID certificates for public sector employees and beneficiaries of public services will be in force as of November 15.

Indoor public events and gatherings of more than 50 people are banned, unless all attendees have an EU-approved digital vaccination certificate. Outdoor public events and gatherings can be organised for more than 100 people only if all attendees possess a digital vaccination certificate and a local civil protection centre has approved the event.

All public gatherings must end before midnight, with the exception of film screenings that start before 11 pm and wedding ceremonies provided that all guests have COVID certificates.

Some additional time restrictions are also on the table.

Certificates mandatory for public sector employees and beneficiaries

On November 15, mandatory COVID certificates will apply to all employees in the state and public sector and for visitors and beneficiaries who enter public sector service premises.

Employees in the educational system are required to have COVID certificates as of November 15. However, this requirement does not refer to students. They are required to comply with instructions issued by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), the Institute head, Krunoslav Capak, told the press conference.

Mandatory facemasks will be introduced in all schools for fifth-graders onwards.

Pupils from grades one to four will have to wear protective masks outside their classrooms.

Testing for coronavirus for employees will be covered by the state, however, citizens visiting those institutions will have to cover the costs of testing on their own.