Greek PM: Gradual return to normality but with great care..
lockdown
28 Apr 2020
/ 18:36
ATHENS. From Monday churches open for individual prayer - 11 May 3rd year high school pupils return - Nurseries and primary schools may open on 1 June- Catering businesses and year-round hotels to open 1 June - "In the 1st phase the goal was to save lives - we succeeded," said the PM - The timetable for a return to normality.
"We are ready to proceed to the second phase," Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his address today.
Extracts from the address:
Following the recommendations from the Scientific Committee I can today announce the 'safety bridge' towards the new normality:
From Monday 4 May the measures limiting movement - the written permission and SMS - will be lifted. The measures limiting travel outwith regions of permanent residency will, however, remain in place for another two weeks. Individual exercise will be allowed in open areas and in the sea. Organised beaches will, however, remain closed. On the same day some shops and services will reopen. Some examples are bookshops, electronic goods, KTEO and sportswear. Hairdressers will also open but only by appointment. Remaining retail trade will open for business on Monday 11 May apart from department stores and shopping malls - these will open on 1 June. All shops will, of course, follow regulations limiting the number of people and there will be strict measures to protect employees.
As regards the Church - I would like to thank the Archbishop and clerics for their understanding and cooperation. This year's Easter wasn't easy for any of us. However, it proved necessary for all of us. From 4 May churches will be open for individual prayer. From Sunday 17 May believers will be able to take part in services. There will be strict regulations, though, agreed upon by the Holy Synod and scientific experts.
As regards education, lessons will begin for 3rd year high school pupils on 11 May. A week later the other high school years and junior high school will return. There will, however, be regulations to limit interactions as much as possible. Distance learning will continue for those pupils who, for some reason, shouldn't return to school. Primary schools and nurseries will remain closed. They may - I repeat may - open on 1 June but only if we are absolutely certain that the pandemic is regressing. The Minister of Education will give more details tomorrow.
Catering establishments will reopen on 1 June but under specific conditions which will be agreed upon by then. On the same day hotels that operate all-year round will also open. The second phase for the justice department will also begin then. During the month of June, depending on developments, all the other businesses will gradually reopen. It is highly improbable, however, that large gatherings such as festivals, concerts or sports events with spectators will be allowed in the summer.
It can be seen that the plan for the next phase has been carefully prepared. It will progress week by week but will be assessed every 24 hours by a monitoring group comprising the Government, Health and Civil Protection Services.
Extracts from the address:
Following the recommendations from the Scientific Committee I can today announce the 'safety bridge' towards the new normality:
From Monday 4 May the measures limiting movement - the written permission and SMS - will be lifted. The measures limiting travel outwith regions of permanent residency will, however, remain in place for another two weeks. Individual exercise will be allowed in open areas and in the sea. Organised beaches will, however, remain closed. On the same day some shops and services will reopen. Some examples are bookshops, electronic goods, KTEO and sportswear. Hairdressers will also open but only by appointment. Remaining retail trade will open for business on Monday 11 May apart from department stores and shopping malls - these will open on 1 June. All shops will, of course, follow regulations limiting the number of people and there will be strict measures to protect employees.
As regards the Church - I would like to thank the Archbishop and clerics for their understanding and cooperation. This year's Easter wasn't easy for any of us. However, it proved necessary for all of us. From 4 May churches will be open for individual prayer. From Sunday 17 May believers will be able to take part in services. There will be strict regulations, though, agreed upon by the Holy Synod and scientific experts.
As regards education, lessons will begin for 3rd year high school pupils on 11 May. A week later the other high school years and junior high school will return. There will, however, be regulations to limit interactions as much as possible. Distance learning will continue for those pupils who, for some reason, shouldn't return to school. Primary schools and nurseries will remain closed. They may - I repeat may - open on 1 June but only if we are absolutely certain that the pandemic is regressing. The Minister of Education will give more details tomorrow.
Catering establishments will reopen on 1 June but under specific conditions which will be agreed upon by then. On the same day hotels that operate all-year round will also open. The second phase for the justice department will also begin then. During the month of June, depending on developments, all the other businesses will gradually reopen. It is highly improbable, however, that large gatherings such as festivals, concerts or sports events with spectators will be allowed in the summer.
It can be seen that the plan for the next phase has been carefully prepared. It will progress week by week but will be assessed every 24 hours by a monitoring group comprising the Government, Health and Civil Protection Services.
