President Stevo Pendarovski signed an order to mobilize the military to assist other institutions in fighting the coronavirus epidemic, which is spiking to unprecedented levels in Macedonia.

According to the order, the army will help, disarmed, in support of the Healthcare Ministry, transport and storage of medical material and equipment, the functioning of medical institutions, accommodation of patients and other tasks. The army was used in a limited capacity over the summer, mainly to maintain order in front of public institutions as citizens were asked to wait in lines and socially distance for some basic services.

Macedonia is not under a curfew at the moment, despite the numbers of infections being four times that during the summer. Pendarovski’s decision raised concerns that a new curfew is being planned.