Serbia PM: Restrictions on Belgrade night clubs, cafes to halt spike

The President of Serbia announced limited restrictions for bars, nightclubs and public gatherings in the capital after the country recorded the highest spike of coronavirus cases since mid-April.

Aleksandar Vucic said that nightclubs and cafes in Belgrade will be closed between 11 p.m. ( 2100GMT) and 6 a.m. (0400GMT) and public gatherings will be limited to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors.

On Thursday, authorities announced 359 confirmed cases and six deaths in the last 24 hours, 80% of which were recorded in Belgrade.

There's been more than 15,200 confirmed cases and nearly 290 deaths in the country.

Serbia went from having strict lockdown measures to a near-total lifting of the government's emergency rules.

Vucic's political opponents link the decision to reduce restrictions to his desire to hold the June 21 parliamentary election, which resulted in his party's overwhelming victory.

Mass gatherings have been allowed with people not keeping social distance or wearing masks.

Thousands of fans packed soccer stadiums, a tennis tournament and night clubs.

Wearing masks indoors became mandatory this week.