Sarajevo Canton authorities have announced a partial lockdown for the upcoming weekend, in an effort to stop the sudden surge in coronavirus cases which hit Bosnia and Herzegovina over the last weeks.

The decision was confirmed by cantonal prime minister Edin Forto on Monday afternoon.

The lockdown will last from Friday 8 pm through Monday 7 am, when all bars and restaurants, as well as stores except supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations, will be closed.

Also, public transportation will be operating as usual and restaurants will be allowed to do deliveries.

Explaining the reason for imposing the new restrictions, Forto said the new coronavirus strain appeared to be a lot more aggressive and hospitals are already filled to capacities. For days, the healthcare authorities in Sarajevo Canton have been reporting three-digit coronavirus cases, which prompted the competent authorities to act.

The authorities of Bosnia's Federation entity, which Sarajevo Canton is a part of, will decide on Wednesday whether they would introduce new restrictions on its whole territory.