Health minister calls on Croatians to get a booster shot

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, he said there were 24 confirmed Omicron cases in Croatia but that without stepping up vaccination and strictly complying with the rules, "we probably won't be able to avoid the effects of the full force of the fifth wave in the second half of January."

Beros said 42% of the tests done in the last 24 hours were positive and that Dalmatia, which has the lowest vaccination rate, accounted for the highest numbers.

Despite a gradual decline in hospitalizations, hospitals are constantly on alert as new cases are rising again. To date 66.22% of adults have been vaccinated, including 487,083 with a booster.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, who heads the Covid-19 crisis management team, called on citizens to maintain rational caution during the New Year's holidays.

He said the team had extended the current Covid protocols for another month. They refer to gatherings, crossing the border, wearing masks, shops' opening hours, public transport, and an entry ban for persons from many African countries.