Croatia’s Health Minister: We will consider relaxing coronavirus restrictions in time ahead

Vili Beros (Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP)

ZAGREB, April 14 (Hina) – The strategy in combating the spread of the coronavirus epidemic is working and in the time ahead we will consider a relaxation of the restrictions, Health Minister Vili Beros said in an interview with Croatian Radio on Tuesday morning.

“The increase in the number of cases is still within the limits we set ourselves. The strategy is working and is very clear: our aim is to slow a considerable rise in the number of people infected and ensure the provision of adequate healthcare,” Beros said.

“I can say that our figures are very good and satisfactory,” he added, noting that the authorities had been trying to ensure a balance between measures to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure a normal life for citizens.

To date, 1,650 people in Croatia have been infected with the novel COVID-19 coronavirus, 25 have died and 400 have recovered.

“In the time ahead we will consider relaxing, easing these measures to help life get back to normal as much as possible and to revive the economy, while at the same time controlling the number of cases,” Beros said.

The health minister said he could not specify a time frame because it was not possible to predict the behaviour of the virus, stressing that they would not want to tie themselves to a deadline they would not be able to meet.

Commenting on compliance with the restrictions during the Easter weekend, the deputy head of the national civil protection authority, Damir Trut, said that about 2,600 inspections had been carried out on Saturday and between 600 and 800 on Sunday and Monday, adding that no major violations had been reported.

He said that people had mainly adhered to measures such as social distancing, there was not much traffic in the streets and a vast majority of people stayed at home.

Trut said that everyone wanted a relaxation of the restrictions, but that this would depend on further developments and the level of the threat and would be decided by professionals. “We are thinking about it, but decisions will be taken in accordance with an analysis of the situation,” he said.