Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday that there would be no tight lockdown and called on citizens to show personal responsibility and get vaccinated against COVID-19.

It is crystal clear that Croatia will not opt for a tight lockdown, the PM said after a government meeting.

He said that the government had secured sufficient amounts of vaccines against coronavirus.

“The threat (of the spread of the disease) will be considerably lower, provided that people get vaccinated, comply with basic measures: wearing masks, keeping a social distance, and airing rooms,” Plenkovic said when asked by the press to comment on President Zoran Milanovic’s statement that the current anti-epidemic rules no longer made sense and that Croatia should follow the example of Sweden in managing the epidemic.

Urging citizens to behave responsibly, Plenkovic said that no rewards would be given to those who decided to get a jab.

“I firmly believe in the common sense, prudence and benevolence of our people and in them being well informed,” Plenkovic said when asked about the possible imposition of more stringent rules.

“We do not have the luxury of being populists, demagogues, speculators or provocateurs. We must be responsible and make decisions to the benefit of all,” the premier said.

He added that the lifting of restrictions would mean that there would be no more COVID grants to businesses.