As of 15 February, Croatia would allow fitness centers, foreign language schools for children, and sports betting shops to reopen, Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, announced on Thursday.

Plenkovic said at the beginning of the cabinet’s meeting today health authorities agreed that due to the fall in coronavirus cases “some signals of easing of anti-epidemic restrictions could be sent” now, provided that a “great degree of caution” was still exercised.

“There is no room for large-scale relaxation,” Plenkovic added.

Restaurants – closed since November for all business except deliveries – will now be allowed to sell coffee and other drinks to go. Fitness and gym facilities can reopen their doors to clients provided that they adhere to existing measures such as face masks. Sports betting shops and casinos will be allowed to reopen as well.

Plenkovic added that government subsidies designed to offset losses to businesses caused by coronavirus restrictions would extend to the whole of February.

New decisions on restrictions can be expected on 1 March.