PM: Homeland security system has responded well to two parallel crises

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday he was satisfied with the work of those making up the homeland security system in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic and the Zagreb earthquake, adding that they were given further guidelines and tasks.

"It's good that in the whole process we have seen that the system is working well, also through the national civil protection authority, which was established in time and which is taking the necessary actions when it comes to containing coronavirus (and) the rapid response of all services to the earthquake in Zagreb, where every measure was taken to ensure citizens' safety, clean up the city, and everything coming after that, from preparations to deal with the damage, draw up a law and find financing for reconstruction," Plenkovic said.

He was speaking to the press after a meeting of the homeland security system authority at which further guidelines and tasks were given to those making up the system - the ministries of the interior, defence and health, intelligence, firefighters, the Red Cross, the Mountain Rescue Service and county, municipal and city representatives.

Plenkovic said maximum engagement and contribution were expected of them all.

"We appreciate the trust all the services currently have thanks to their work, effort and sacrifice, the quality synergy and contribution of numerous expert services, the political leadership in these two crises which are parallel, and I'm sure that we will continue to make the maximum effort to ensure the safety of citizens' health and respond to the challenges ahead."

We are negotiating procurement of medical gear with two Chinese companies

The prime minister underlined the importance of procuring medical gear, saying Croatia was negotiating with China as the country which could deliver the largest quantity, specifically with two state companies, Mehiko and Sinopham.

He said Economy Minister Darko Horvat was already tasked with finding, in contact with academic institutions and domestic companies, a model to make protective masks.

He said he asked Energy Minister Tomislav Coric to check if the INA energy company had asked suppliers to cut prices by 30% in the wake of a drop in oil prices.

Speaking of the fallout of COVID-19 on the economy and lives, the prime minister said the government was discussing many laws, including on enforcement.

Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic said he too was pleased with the functioning of the homeland security system during the epidemic and the 5.5 magnitude quake in the Zagreb area. The system enables the government to effectively manage crises, he added, thanking all the services involved for what they are doing to protect citizens.

PM says not true beneficiaries of Split elderly people's home are on ventilators

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday that reports about beneficiaries of an elderly people's home in Split being on respirators were incorrect and that according to information available to him, the home operated in line with recommendations from the national civil protection authority.

"The information that ten people from the elderly people's home who were transferred to the city hospital at Krizine are on ventilators, is false," Plenkovic said after a session of the body coordinating the homeland security system.

After it was confirmed that 10 pensioners from the Split nursing home were positive for the coronavirus, 49 beneficiaries were hospitalised.

"As far as I know, the home operated in line with the national civil protection authority's instructions, visits were banned. According to my information, there are 318 people in the home, including more than 130 staff," he said.

Plenkovic also commented on accusations by members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that the national civil protection authority was not consulting with the government and that the director of the Split nursing home, Ivan Skaricic, was a member of the HDZ party and got the job without the necessary qualifications.

He said that he rejected such rhetoric, that the national civil protection authority was consulting with the government on all decisions and that the authority had very good results in fighting the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, things like this happen, we will investigate everything, it is good that all beneficiaries have been taken care of and are receiving treatment. I didn't know who the home's director is, I will investigate everything, it wouldn't be good to jump to conclusions," said Plenkovic.

Text: Hina

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