The traditional farewell party for the outgoing year was held in the town of Fuzine in the hinterland of Rijeka at noon on Friday.

The tradition was put on hold last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year revellers attending the ceremony at noon, which was held at several venues, including the one beside Bajer Lake, were required to have COVID certificates.

Some of the guests in Fuzine were traditional New Year swimmers from Opatija, who took a dive in the lake on New Year’s Eve, before their usual bathing in the sea on New Year’s Day.

Apart from Fuzine, some other towns in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, including Novi Vinodolski, and Kastav, held traditional farewell parties at noon today for the outgoing 2021.

The entertainment programmes featured local pop and folk bands.

Several cities in Croatia, for instance Sisak, Rijeka, and Opatija, organised a New Year’s Eve celebration for children today.

All those outdoor parties were held in compliance with the anti-epidemic measures, against the backdrop of a surge in coronavirus numbers in recent days.

Also, several big cities scrapped plans for New Year’s Eve parties in their main squares due to the current epidemiological situation.

However, the capital city of Zagreb sticks to the plan for a New Year’s Eve celebration in Ban Jelacic Square in line with anti-epidemic rules.

People attending the celebration in the square will have to show COVID certificates or undergo rapid testing on the spot at the price of 50 kuna.

The programme of the celebration starts at 2000 hrs.

Police and fire service urge citizens to be cautious with pyrotechnic devices

The law enforcement and firefighting authorities call on the Croatians to spend New Year’s night safely, and to refrain from abusing firearms and firecrackers as well as not to drive while drunk.

Croatians are warned not to use sparklers near materials that catch fire easily.

As of this year, F2 and F3 category firecrackers are banned in Croatia.