Montenegro Spends First Night Under Curfew

The centre of the Montenegrin capital Podgorica was empty and quiet as the first night of a nocturnal curfew intended to help curb the spread of the cornavirus began on Tuesday evening.

Montenegro's nocturnal curfew began at 7pm on Tuesday evening, with only police officers visible on the normally crowded streets of central Podgorica.

People are not allowed to go out from 7pm until 5am on weekdays, while at the weekend, the lockdown extends from Saturday at 1pm, all the way through Sunday, until Monday at 5am.

The authorities have also banned outdoor sporting activities, and children under the age of 12 can only go outside if accompanied by their parents. Montenegro has not imposed a state of emergency, however.

There are 109 novel coronavirus infections in Montenegro, while 6,262 people's health is being monitored.

Police on Wednesday reported that 37 people were prosecuted for violating the curfew, most of them from the capital Podgorica and the coastal town of Bar.

Podgorica city center during the curfew.Photo:BIRN/Samir KajosevicPolice checkpoint in Podgorica. Photo: BIRN/Samir KajosevicPolice patrol in the city center of Podgorica. Photo:BIRN/Samir KajosevicPodgorica during the curfew.Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic

Police vehicle patrolling in Podgorica. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic