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Congestion at entry to Croatia: many still want to reach their destination before lockdown on Dec. 23
As previously reported, today, Monday, December 14, 2020, Croatia issued new decisions to extend stricter border measures due to the coronavirus pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Until January 15, EU citizens will only be able to enter Croatia with a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours or will have to self-isolate until the negative test result for coronavirus is received.
Christmas and New Year only with PCR test
The obligation to PCR test or self-isolate applies not only to foreign tourists, but also to all Croatian citizens outside Croatia who have planned a visit during the vacations, thus also to all Croatians returning from almost all countries of the world to celebrate Christmas with their relatives. Therefore, travel to Croatia for Christmas and New Year is also possible for all Croats living abroad only with a negative PCR test not older than 48 hours.
Approx. 4 million Croats live abroad
Croatia is currently among the EU countries with the highest 14-day incidence, and the Croatian healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. Against this background, it is important to know: Croatia itself has approximately 4.2 million inhabitants. It is estimated that almost as many Croats, about four million, live abroad and many of them traditionally return to Croatia over Christmas and New Year to celebrate Christmas with their relatives or kin living there. Since it cannot be excluded that here a further entry of the Coronavirus into the already strongly affected country could take place, one closed the borders, and/or one demands a PCR test, which might be available in the present homelands of the foreign Croats however only under difficult conditions in time.
Only parts of Finland on EU Green List
The entry ban for Croatia does not apply to persons coming directly from countries or regions of the European Union or the Schengen area or countries associated with the Schengen area who are on the green list of the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It should be noted, however, that among the EU and Schengen countries, only part of southwestern Finland is currently green.
Exemptions relatively narrow
There is an exemption system for categories of persons who do not have to pass a negative test, such as border health workers, schoolchildren, students and trainees who travel daily, provided they do not stay in Croatia or outside Croatia for more than 12 hours. Without testing and self-isolation, entry is also allowed to seamen, transport workers and transport service providers, diplomats, employees of international organizations, persons traveling for truly urgent family or business reasons, including journalists.
Entry from a few countries possible without PCR test
According to the recommendation of the EU Council, passengers from several other countries are not required to have a negative PCR test. They are currently travelers from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay, China and special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China – Hong Kong and Macau. The prerequisite is that they do not show signs of disease and do not have close contact with the patient.
Coast relatively few new infections compared to the domestic situation
Despite all the scare reports: The Croatian coast, with the exception of major cities such as Rijeka and Split, is still much less affected by the coronavirus than the eastern areas of Croatia bordering Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
