SKOPJE, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in North Macedonia imposed a nationwide 85-hour lockdown during the Easter holiday, Media Information Agency (MIA) said here on Friday.

A nationwide ban on movement is enforced during the Orthodox Easter holiday starting from Friday 4 pm to 5 am on Tuesday, according to MIA.

According to the government orders, movement and gatherings in parks, forests or in recreation areas are strictly prohibited during the lockdown.

Authorities have called for increased police controls around churches during the holiday.

An estimated 65 percent of North Macedonia's population is Orthodox Christians, according to the last national census in 2002.

Excluded from the movement ban are police and army forces, health workers, markets and restaurants offering delivery services.

On Friday, North Macedonia's Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski and Health Minister Venko Filipce called on all citizens to be responsible, stay at home, avoid gatherings and respect social distancing measures, to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection.

According to the health ministry, 36 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 1,117, with 139 recoveries and 49 fatalities. Enditem

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