North Macedonia's government decided on Monday to increase the duration of the nationwide daily curfew from 7 to 9 hours every night, and to close all cafes and restaurants, as well as gyms, and sports betting shops, in order to contain a new surge in coronavirus cases.

The new restrictions will start on Tuesday. The new curfew will now start at 8 pm and last until 5 am. Previously, the curfew would begin at 10 pm.

During curfew, pet owners will be allowed to walk their pets from 10 pm to 11 pm every night.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the new regulations would be in force until April 20, and warned the new wave of the epidemic, in which the so-called British strain of the virus is dominant, is “much more dangerous” than the previous one.

The restrictions are being introduced ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrated on May 2.

The ban on gatherings of more than four people at a time remains in force, while delivery service is allowed.

Also on Monday, North Macedonia started its first large scale vaccination program.