In Croatia, the authorities have been closely monitoring the sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases for several weeks and are now responding by requiring masks to be worn on public transport, in supermarkets and shops. On 11 July, there were 140 new infections, the highest number since the start of the pandemic in the country. Some information portals, such as the nautical breakdown service Sea Help, report that masks should also be worn in restaurants in general, but this does not appear to be correct. In the Text of the Croatian ordinance on the new mask requirement of 11.7. only mentions that kitchen staff and serving staff need face masks, guests are not mentioned.
Furthermore, travellers entering Croatia must also register via the website Enter Croatia must register before entering the country. Those travelling by car must now also expect longer waiting times, especially when passing through the Karawanken tunnel, and even two or three hours at weekends, as the crowds are large and border guards are once again carrying out more checks. According to Croatian figures, there are now around half a million tourists in the country.
The fact is, however, that despite currently 1142 active cases throughout the country, Croatia is far below the limit of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants set by Germany and has not even reached half of this figure. Moreover, the hotspots are primarily Zagreb and the east of the country. Only Split has recently seen a slight increase in cases (98). The rest of the coast has significantly lower case numbers.
This also applies to the Balearic Islands, which have now tightened the mask requirement due to the television images from last weekend of tourists partying at the Ballermann in disregard of the hygiene rules. From now on, guests must also wear a mask outdoors when other people are in the vicinity. However, masks are not compulsory on the beach or at the swimming pool or when doing sports.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
