The Serbian government pandemic Crisis Staff ordered the wearing of face masks in open spaces, not just indoors, a senior staff member said on Friday.

Dr Darija Kisic Tepavcevic said that the Crisis Staff also banned local authorities from issuing permits for gatherings of more than 30 people and ordered the preparation of the Belgrade Arena hall to receive coronavirus patients as of next Monday.  

She said that respiratory infections, including the coronavirus, spread easily at this time of year and that the number of new cases is rising across the country. “In line with that, a decision was taken to step up all current measures including controlling their implementation,” she said adding that it’s important to wear masks at all times including in open spaces.  

The doctor said that the Belgrade Arena would be ready for COVID-19 patients on Monday, adding that the focus in future will be on temporary hospitals because permanent hospitals which are not primarily for infectious diseases have to be kept open for non-coronavirus patients.  

The Crisis Staff did not change the working hours of restaurants and cafes which have to close at 11:00 pm.