The request of hospitality businesses to stay open after 9 pm is logical and could be discussed by the Commission for Infectious Diseases soon, Health Minister Venko Filipche said Friday.
However, the restrictions won’t be relaxed until January 21, he noted.
“We will look into the request if they could stay open until 11 pm,” Filipche told the media.
On Thursday, several hospitality businesses requested that they should start closing at 11 pm, instead of 9 pm, as of next week after Minister Filipche stated that they could be permitted to work until 9 pm if the epidemiological situation in the country remained stable.
The restrictions, adopted by the government, including the shutting down of bars and restaurants at 6 pm, were introduced on Dec. 18, 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections during the holiday season. They are in force until Jan. 21, 2021.
