Kosovars celebrate Eid al-Adha at home

Muslim leaders in Kosovo said Friday they have barred worshippers from celebrating the Eid-al Adha festival in mosques this year because of the coronavirus.

Naim Ternava, Head of the Islamic Community of Kosovo, said gatherings at mosques were being suspended for ten days to help curb the spread of the virus.

Muslims in the country marked the festival at home instead.

Kosovo has had far fewer cases of coronavirus than most of its Balkan neighbours, recording just over 8,100 confirmed cases and 212 deaths.

Nonetheless, a record high of 16 new deaths on Thursday alarmed authorities.

Earlier this week the government reimposed lockdown measures such as banning public gatherings and reducing the opening hours of restaurants and night clubs.