BELGRADE, Serbia 

Serbia on Friday declared an emergency situation to implement preventive measures against COVID-19.

The decision, made at the suggestion of the city's Emergency Situations Headquarters, takes effect on Friday as 82.5% of the total number of infected people in Serbia is recorded in the capital Belgrade, the city administration announced.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday night announced new measures such as closing student dormitories and night clubs.

According to the measures, gathering of more than 100 people indoors and that of over 500 outdoors are forbidden.

Epidemiologist Predrag Kon said Serbia is at its maximum in a week when it comes to the rise in new infections.

"After this week, we can expect that with the implementation of the measures, we will gradually feel the reduction of registered cases," Kon told state-run Radio Television of Serbia.

Serbia to date has reported 15,195 virus cases and 287 deaths.