Croatia limits entry ban to Slovenians from border region

Zagreb, 16 March - After a back-and-forth on Sunday by Croatian authorities regarding whether Slovenia was on Croatia's list of coronavirus crisis countries, Croatia said Slovenians will be turned back on the Croatian border or sent into 14-day self-isolation in Croatia only if they come from the border regions of Bela Krajina or Dolenjska.

Obrežje
The Obrežje border crossing with Croatia.
Photo: Hina/STA
File photo

While the Croatian Foreign Ministry still said on Sunday afternoon the border measure applied for the whole of Slovenia, it later back-pedalled to name the restriction already in place before and applying only to passengers hailing from Bela Krajina. On Monday, the region of Dolenjska was added to the list of crisis regions and countries as well.

Thus, those from Bela Krajina or Dolenjska wishing to enter Croatia will be rejected by Croatian police in case they do not opt for a 14-day self-isolation at a Croatian address.

The same home quarantine applies for Croatians who go to work in Bela Krajina or Dolenjska and decide to return home.

Bela Krajina has been affected by coronavirus disproportionally.

The measure for Dolenjska is expected to affect Revoz, the Slovenian subsidiary of the French car maker Renault, located in Novo Mesto because several Croatian workers commute to work there.

As of Sunday, Slovenians are no longer allowed to enter Serbia. As an additional measure to contain the outbreak, a temporary ban has been issued by Serbian authorities for foreigners coming from Slovenia, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Greece and Switzerland.

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© STA, 2020