Brussels authorities on Wednesday decided that all the city's bars, dance clubs and cafeterias will have to close for a month to counter a surge in new coronavirus cases, leaving beer lovers and revelers high and dry, AP reports.

The measures in the Belgian capital will come into effect Thursday. They go beyond nationwide restrictions that were announced only Tuesday, which ordered bars to close at 11pm.

But because the pandemic is hitting the capital especially hard, the Brussels region said additional action was needed. The city hosts the European Union headquarters, which draws in people from 27 nations.

"We decided that bars, cafes but also tea rooms will have to close their doors and remain closed," said Brussels Minister President Rudi Vervoort.