The national coronavirus task force has recommended the nationwide curfew be moved to 9 pm and restaurants, bars and coffee shops be allowed to work until 8 or 8:30 pm, provided they have outdoor seating, according to Health Minister Venko Filipche on Monday.
The Commission for Infectious Diseases and the Coronavirus Crisis Headquarters has also recommended the curfew be temporarily lifted on Easter and Ramadan (May 1-2 and May 12-13, respectively), allowing citizens to travel freely on those evenings, Minister Filipche said.
He added that the Government would review the recommendations at a session Tuesday, when the newly relaxed restrictions should be put in place.
According to the health minister, the eased restrictions are a result of the crisis management team’s timely measures and the coordinated hospital admissions system, which has lessened the pressure on hospitals.
“We’re following the trends in the neighboring countries, as well. The second wave is subsiding everywhere,” Filipche said.
“I hope that this, together with the accelerated vaccination following Easter, when the Chinese vaccines will be distributed according to the number of people who have registered for vaccination in each region, will change the picture,” he added.