Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Serbia’s capital after the government moved to impose new measures to curb a rise in coronavirus cases. The protests, which began Tuesday evening in Belgrade, spread to other major cities including Nis, Kragujevac and Novi Sad.

The demonstrations erupted after President Aleksandar Vucic announced Tuesday that a weekend curfew would be re-imposed in an effort to combat the pandemic. Large numbers of people gathered in front of the National Assembly Building in Belgrade.

Protesters clashed with police while attempting to enter the building as gendarmerie forces set up a cordon on the steps in front of its entrance. Traffic was stopped in that part of the city. Among those who gathered were some opposition leaders. Many police officers were injured during the protests.