Montenegro quarantines 6 more cities due to COVID-19

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Montenegro on Monday quarantined six more cities after a rapid increase in novel coronavirus cases.

The small Balkan country with a population of around 600,000 was the last in Europe to register a case of COVID-19 in last year.

Quarantine measures now apply to the cities of Cetinje, Ulcinj, Herceg Novi, Niksic and Pluzine as of March 2, as well as in the capital Podgorica.

The touristic Budva and Tivat cities were already under quarantine.

It was announced that the decision had been taken upon the Public Health Institute's suggestion.

The measures will remain in effect until March 10.

Residents in quarantine zones will not be able to leave the city limits, except for work, study or medical treatment.

Montenegro has so far registered more than 75,000 COVID-19 cases and 1,003 people have died due to the virus.

Based on last week's figures, an average of 550 new cases are registered daily.