BELGRADE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Serbia's southern city of Novi Pazar declared an emergency on Thursday over an increased number of COVID-19 patients, restricting public gatherings and ordering preventive measures.
The emergency response team of Novi Pazar, a city with a population of 100,000 in southwest Serbia, explained that the decision enters into force immediately upon adoption, bringing measures and recommendations such as banning gatherings of more than 5 people in public, as well as family celebrations such as weddings and birthdays.
Data from the Institute of Public Health of Novi Pazar shows that since the beginning of the epidemic in March, a total of 339 people from the city have tested positive for COVID-19, of which more than 200 were confirmed after the state of emergency was lifted on May 6.
The new measures will require bars and restaurants to be open only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., provided that only two people are allowed per table and strict respect for keeping the distance of two meters, while staff and guests will be obliged to wear masks.
The city authorities have ordered disinfecting the busiest streets and the area around the general hospital.
As of Thursday, there have been 954 active cases of COVID-19 in Serbia, of which 137 have been confirmed in the past 24 hours.
After the state of emergency was lifted more than a month ago, Serbia had allowed sports games and other indoor and outdoor gatherings, opened borders and held the first national election in Europe after pandemic broke out.
During the past 30 days, the ratio of infection among those tested for COVID-19 varied from 1 to 2.5 percent, and the number of new cases had been gradually on the rise. Enditem
