Plenkovic said that the government was working on the implementation of the first set of measures, describing their results as encouraging. He announced a new package of measures for next week.
"What is most important is that everyone understands the depth of this crisis and that no one can say how long it will last. We will be relying on expert opinions, first and foremost on those of medical professionals," the prime minister said, stressing that people's health was a priority.
Asked if it was true that a team of economic experts would be formed to deal with the fallout of the coronvirus crisis and that former prime minister Martina Dalic would be on the team, Plenkovic recalled that a meeting had been held a few days ago of scientists and specialists who could provide an expert view of the epidemic and put it in a broader perspective.
"We want to do a similar thing with a council for economic affairs, so there will be no special team and no parallelism in decision making. We are talking about a group people from the health and business communities, who also represent workers, who could provide consulting services from time to time. We will let you know who will be on the council after consultations," the prime minister told reporters.
Asked if the new economic measures would include a write-off of certain taxes, Plenkovic said that measures were being worked out and that all departments would contribute to cost cutting and tax relief.
Asked if workers should fear any curtailment of their rights in the present situation, Plenkovic said that if the circumstances surrounding the epidemic changed and if its impact on the economic and social situation and financial stability was such that it required legislative changes, "we will openly discuss it and seek everyone's support and understanding."
"The mortality rate from the coronavirus epidemic in Croatia is 0.5 percent of the total number of those infected, while in Italy it is 10.5 percent. I say once again - Italy is very close," the prime minister said.
"The measures we are taking are primarily aimed at preserving the health and lives of our fellow citizens. .. Let's make a common effort to overcome this with as much solidarity and unity as possible to ensure the survival of us all, of the economy and of the rights that we have as much as possible," he added.
Speaking of his conversation with the Chinese premier, Plenkovic said that a new meeting in the China+17 format should have been held in Beijing in April but had been postponed, and that they had also discussed cooperation between the two countries and how China had managed to contain the epidemic in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.
Plenkovic said that China would donate protective equipment to Croatia.
Text: Hina