More than 10,000 people in Montenegro, or 1.5% of the population, is positive for coronavirus and epidemiologists warn the country has entered the "black scenario".

In the past 24 hours, 639 new infections have been registered, 290 COVID-19 patients have recovered and nine have died, the Montenegrin Public Health Institute said on Wednesday, adding that currently there are 10,207 active cases, or 1,620 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The situation is worst in the capital of Podgorica, where more than 5,000 inhabitants are infected. Podgorica accounts for one-third of the country’s population and a decision as to whether it will be put into lockdown will be made on Saturday.

As of Sunday, there is a curfew in the country from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. as well as a ban on assembly and leaving one’s municipality is banned on weekends. Masks are mandatory both indoors and outdoors.