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Spain on Friday ordered nightlife establishments to close and banned drinking on the street in an effort to stem a coronavirus resurgence - measures that caused anger and dismay in the hard-hit hospitality sector. 

Smoking in public places where keeping a safe distance from people is impossible was also banned, Health Minister Salvador Illa told a news conference, according to Reuters.

Bars and restaurants will have to down their shutters by 1 a.m. as part of the new restrictions, Illa said.

The minister also advised against gatherings of more than 10 people and specifically warned young people not to gather outside to drink alcohol, a popular practice called “botellones”.

“We cannot afford not to be disciplined,” Illa said. “We cannot ignore the virus circulating among us.”

The health ministry said the closure extended to nightlife establishments including discotheques, cocktail bars and dance halls in all Spanish territory, which would include popular holiday islands and beach resorts which depend on tourism.

Infections in Spain have risen in recent days following the end of Spain’s tough lockdown seven weeks ago.

Friday’s almost 3,000 new cases, although little changed from Thursday, were about double the average in the first 12 days of August and brought the cumulative total to 342,813 - the highest number in Western Europe.