Shops selling necessary food and hygienic products, including such shops in shopping malls remain open.
Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, who is at the helm of the coronvirus crisis management team, said on Wednesday afternoon that open-air markets would stay open.
Pharmacies, petrol stations, bakeries, newsstands, shops selling baby food and pet food shops are exempt from the ban. Their opening hours will not be shortened so as to avoid crowds of buyers.
Public life curtailed
Croatians are asked to stay at home and limit their social contacts. Employees should be asked to work at home, where it is possible. All public gatherings are banned.
Museums, theatres, dance schools, libraries, exhibitions, hairdressers, beauticians, fitness centres and gyms will also be closed and all sports competitions, religious gatherings and the like will be cancelled.
These restrictive measures took effect on Thursday and will be in force 30 days.
Remote learning for school-age children was introduced earlier this week nationwide. However, children whose parents must work as they are on the frontline of the national effort to stem the epidemic – including doctors, healthcare employees, police officers -- can stay at school.