ZAGREB, October 1, 2020 — The National Headquarters and restaurant representatives will discuss how to lower noise levels in cafes and clubs in order to reduce the volume of conversations among guests. The new measure should help reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to Krunoslav Capak.
The Headquarters will request new safety measures at a meeting scheduled for the end of this week. The most notable topic on the agenda will be the proposal to turn down the music in cafes and bars. Krunoslav Capak, director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, explained the new measure for Dnevnik Nova TV.
Reduce the Spread of COVID-19
“When there is a lot of noise, it is only natural for people who want to converse with each other, to get closer to each other to hear their conversational partner better. They cannot remain at a distance,” Capak pointed out.
“Moreover, the speech volume increases. When shouting, the amount of aerosol increases, travels faster and allows the infection to spread more easily. It makes sense to reduce the noise a bit in cafes and night bars for people to communicate,” he said.
The Public Health director added that there can still be sound, but it should not be too loud.
According to Capak, the connection between the spread of COVID-19 and noise levels has already been documented. “I don’t know if anyone has applied it, but this is a matter of logic. If there is more noise, people will move closer and speak louder,” Capak emphasized.
Safety Preparations For this Fall and Winter
The new measure will not be the only subject of conversation with the caterers. “We want to talk to restaurants about what awaits us this fall and winter. Colder weather and rain is coming. It will not be possible to stay out on open terraces. We need to see how we will set up indoor spaces,” Capak explained.
“Apart from ventilation, humidity is also important. In heated rooms, the air is dry. The mucous membrane of our respiratory system is constructed in this fashion that it must always remain moist,” Capak said. “If it dries out in a dry environment by breathing, the membrane gets damaged, so viruses and bacteria are able to enter and take hold,” Capak explained.
Capak: Vaccinations for Flu Available in October
Vaccinations against the flu will start soon. “We have ordered a lot more vaccines this year in comparison to last year. Yet, we are still in search of ways to order additional quantities,” Capak said.
“700,000 doses were ordered, and we would take at least another 100,000 if possible. We have announced that we are looking for additional doses of flu vaccines. Although, this year’s quantity is already greater than last year. In January, we had the opportunity to order 460,000 doses. Back then, we didn’t know about the epidemic, ”Capak explained.
“Pharmacies have also procured 100,000 doses. Vaccinations will start immediately upon the arrival of the vaccines. They promised us that the vaccines will come in the second week of October. After that, vaccinations will begin immediately,” Capak concluded.
Watch the complete interview (in Croatian) below. Follow this link for all Daily Croatia updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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