Serbia protests: Police fire tear gas as demonstrators take to streets over fresh lockdown measures

Police have fired tear gas at thousands of protesters in Serbia who have taken to the streets over fresh lockdown measures.

President Aleksandar Vucic said lockdown measures will be reintroduced after the Balkan country reported its highest single-day death toll from coronavirus.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets, with some chanting "resignation" as they gathered in front of the central parliament building in Belgrade.

Some managed to enter the building by force, but were pushed back by riot police.

The protesters responded by hurling flares, stones, bottles and eggs at the police

The president called the virus situation in Belgrade "alarming" and "critical" as the city’s hospitals neared their capacity limits.

On Tuesday, the country’s Health Ministry said 13 people had died in 24 hours, bringing the total to 330, and 299 new Covid-19 cases had been confirmed, bringing the total confirmed cases to 16,719.

Serbia went from having one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns to a near-complete reopening at the beginning of May.

Football and tennis matches were played in packed stands and a parliamentary election was held on June 21 despite warnings from experts that the mass gatherings without social distancing could lead to a new coronavirus wave.

“We have probably relaxed too much," Mr Vucic said. “Everyone thought it was all over".

On Tuesday, Montenegro introduced a compulsory quarantine for all people arriving from neighbouring Serbia, citing coronavirus health risks.

Greece also banned tourists from Serbia from entering the country on Monday.