Tourism continues despite Croatia turning red on COVID map, minister says

Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac said on Thursday that tourism flows continued in spite of Croatia turning red on the updated COVID map of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), thanks to the standardisation of travel processes in the EU.

The whole of Croatia turned red on the latest coronavirus transmission map, released by the ECDC on Thursday, which was expected since the number of infections over the past week surged by 50%. By comparison, 1,237 new infections were registered yesterday, while 805 were reported last Wednesday.

Even though Croatia became a red zone, tourists returning to their countries do not have to self-isolate but present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result if they are not vaccinated, the Ministry said in the press release.

"There are currently still over half a million tourists in Croatia, which is more compared with the same period in 2019, and that should be an incentive and a reminder to everyone that with responsible behaviour tourism can still achieve great results," said Brnjac.

She called on everyone to comply with epidemiological recommendations and get vaccinated in order to protect themselves and everyone staying in Croatia.

In order to provide all travellers with everything they need on their journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, 350 additional testing points have been set up across the country, so that all tourists can get tested before returning to their countries if needed, the Ministry said.

Also, the Ministry has ensured the distribution of 1.08 million tests at affordable prices for tourists who have spent three or more nights in commercial accommodation, and the tests have been distributed to regional public health institutes.

Due to the conditions for crossing the border and tourists' interest in vaccination, foreign nationals can also get vaccinated in Croatia, the press release says.

(Hina)

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