Special Organization of Work for the Activity of Trade in Shops and Shopping Centers

September 30, 2021 — Given the epidemiological situation and the possible transmission of the disease COVID-19, a special organization of work is introduced for the activity of trade, which is performed in stores and shopping centers. 

The duration of this decision has been extended until October 15, 2021.

Legal entities that perform the activity of trade in stores and shopping centers are obliged to organize the performance of activities in accordance with this Decision and special recommendations of the Croatian Institute of Public Health and in compliance with all general epidemiological measures.

The number of customers or visitors who can be in the store or shopping center at the same time is limited as follows:

• in stores that have up to 10 m2 of net sales area, there can be only one customer at a time ;
• for stores with 11 m2 to 100 m2 of net sales area, the maximum number of customers that can be in the store at the same time is determined in such a way that at least 10 m2 must be provided for each customer ;
• for stores from 101 m2 to 200 m2 of net sales area, the maximum number of customers that can be in the store at the same time is determined in such a way that at least 12 m2 must be provided for each customer ;
• for stores from 201 m2 to 2,000 m2 of net sales area, the maximum number of customers that can be in the store at the same time is determined in such a way that at least 16 m2 must be provided for each customer ;
• for stores with more than 2,000 m2 of net sales area, the maximum number of customers that can be in the store at the same time is determined in such a way that at least 20 m2 must be provided for each customer ;
• for shopping centers, the maximum number of customers that can be in the store at the same time is determined in such a way that at least 16 m2 must be provided for each customer .

* The net sales area of ​​the store and shopping center, in terms of this Decision, is the total area less storage space, toilets, evacuation stairs and corridors, technical rooms and other areas that are not available to customers or visitors.

All shops and malls are mandatory;

• at the entrance clearly display a notice of the largest possible number of customers who can be in the store or shopping center at the same time and strictly adhere to the limits of the number of customers allowed;
• during the expected arrival of a larger number of customers (discounts, rebates, etc.) to take additional measures so that more customers do not stay in their premises at the same time than allowed and to ensure compliance with epidemiological measures;
• apply enhanced hygiene measures and daily cleaning of the premises, regularly ventilate the premises and provide sufficient points with hand disinfectants .

The following additional necessary epidemiological measures are introduced for stores with more than 2,000 m2 of net sales area and shopping centers:

• suspension of organized transport for customers and visitors;
• the obligation to ensure the prevention of the entry of an excessive number of customers or visitors and the introduction of wardens who will prevent excessive entry, when the permitted number of customers or visitors exceeds 90% of the maximum permitted number of customers or visitors;
• the obligation to remove or physically disable seating on common parts of the shopping center and to remove or restrict seating furniture from parts intended for the consumption of food and drink;
• the obligation of organized warning of customers to the obligation to comply with the prescribed measures (prevention of grouping of customers in front of the entrance to stores or shopping center, prevention of consumption of food and beverages in common parts of shopping centers, etc.);
• data and records on the maintenance of ventilation, ventilation and air exchange systems must be made available to the competent civil protection service at its request;
• mandatory appointment of a contact person who will be available for contact with the competent civil protection service 24 hours a day.

* The implementation of these necessary epidemiological measures stores with more than 2,000 m2 of net area and shopping centers are required to ensure with their services or with external service providers (physical protection, fire protection, etc.).

This Decision also applies to shops located along the open promenade (so-called retail parks, outlet centers, etc.).

The control of the implementation of this Decision will be carried out by the officers of the Directorate of Civil Protection, inspectors of the State Inspectorate, police officers and civil protection.

By the decision of 30 September, the duration of the necessary epidemiological measures was extended until 15 October 2021 (translation by Google Translate).