Which businesses open on Monday and what rules will apply
lockdown
03 May 2020
/ 10:54
ATHENS. Ministry of the Interior Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasis explained which shops will be reopening on Monday 4 May and what protective measures need to be followed.
Businesses that will reopen
The following businesses will reopen - retail shops selling books, newspapers/periodicals and stationery, computers, peripherals and software, telecommunications equipment, sports goods, flowers, KTEO (MOT centres), hairdressers, barbers, beauty centres, shoe-shining businesses, opticians and hearing aid shops.
Social distancing rules
The Deputy Minister said that businesses must strictly adhere to to operating measures - the ratio between the number of people on the premises and the sq. metre area, distance between work stations, customer appointments book where this is required and personal protection equipment and measures - masks and hand hygiene.
Penalties
There will be penalties for any violations and consumers can call 1520 to report any violations, profiteering and unfair business practices.
Opening hours and social distancing
Shopowners are obliged to observe the following opening hours:
- Retail businesses to open at 10:00 - this applies to businesses that are reopening in the Attica Region, not the islands and in the Thessaloniki Municipalities.
- Food shops, e.g. supermarkets, will remain open until 9 May at the following times - Monday - Friday: 07:00-21:00 and Saturday: 07:00-20:00.
- Regional regulations in tourist areas regarding Sunday opening remain as they are.
- Businesses with the code 9602 - hairdressers, barbers and beauty centres - can have extended hours of 07:00-22:00 and 07:00-21:00 on Saturdays. The distance between work stations must be at least 2 metres and masks are compulsory for staff and strongly recommended for customers. If these businesses are also licensed for services such as massage, pilates, personal training, these services are strictly forbidden.
- Businesses of any business code which are reopening are obliged to inform customers that they are selling goods and services included in those codes.
- The use of masks in supermarkets is compulsory only for staff handling unpackaged food products and it is recommended for the remaining staff and customers.
- On Sunday 3 May businesses whose operations had not been suspended will operate according to the existing regulations for Sunday openings.
- For offices the regulation is one person per 10 sq.m. and social distancing of 1.5 metres. They are obliged to put up a notice at the entrance stating the number of people allowed.
Mr. Papathanasis said, "We are returning to previous normality but very carefully." He added that, "On 4 May we are taking the first step towards restarting the economy. This step has been well researched and prepared and the results will be assessed as has happened at previous stages. We all share the same responsibility and the state has the additional responsibility of providing a safety and support net to safeguard jobs and to restructure and boost the economy. Nobody is saying that there is a global economic manual for rebooting the economy after this kind of health crisis. What we are saying is that, just as we have been taking each step up to now with great care, for the rebooting of the economy we are looking at every possible scenario and implementing the best plan, based on safeguarding public health, social cohesion and economics."
The following businesses will reopen - retail shops selling books, newspapers/periodicals and stationery, computers, peripherals and software, telecommunications equipment, sports goods, flowers, KTEO (MOT centres), hairdressers, barbers, beauty centres, shoe-shining businesses, opticians and hearing aid shops.
Social distancing rules
The Deputy Minister said that businesses must strictly adhere to to operating measures - the ratio between the number of people on the premises and the sq. metre area, distance between work stations, customer appointments book where this is required and personal protection equipment and measures - masks and hand hygiene.
Penalties
There will be penalties for any violations and consumers can call 1520 to report any violations, profiteering and unfair business practices.
Opening hours and social distancing
Shopowners are obliged to observe the following opening hours:
- Retail businesses to open at 10:00 - this applies to businesses that are reopening in the Attica Region, not the islands and in the Thessaloniki Municipalities.
- Food shops, e.g. supermarkets, will remain open until 9 May at the following times - Monday - Friday: 07:00-21:00 and Saturday: 07:00-20:00.
- Regional regulations in tourist areas regarding Sunday opening remain as they are.
- Businesses with the code 9602 - hairdressers, barbers and beauty centres - can have extended hours of 07:00-22:00 and 07:00-21:00 on Saturdays. The distance between work stations must be at least 2 metres and masks are compulsory for staff and strongly recommended for customers. If these businesses are also licensed for services such as massage, pilates, personal training, these services are strictly forbidden.
- Businesses of any business code which are reopening are obliged to inform customers that they are selling goods and services included in those codes.
- The use of masks in supermarkets is compulsory only for staff handling unpackaged food products and it is recommended for the remaining staff and customers.
- On Sunday 3 May businesses whose operations had not been suspended will operate according to the existing regulations for Sunday openings.
- For offices the regulation is one person per 10 sq.m. and social distancing of 1.5 metres. They are obliged to put up a notice at the entrance stating the number of people allowed.
Mr. Papathanasis said, "We are returning to previous normality but very carefully." He added that, "On 4 May we are taking the first step towards restarting the economy. This step has been well researched and prepared and the results will be assessed as has happened at previous stages. We all share the same responsibility and the state has the additional responsibility of providing a safety and support net to safeguard jobs and to restructure and boost the economy. Nobody is saying that there is a global economic manual for rebooting the economy after this kind of health crisis. What we are saying is that, just as we have been taking each step up to now with great care, for the rebooting of the economy we are looking at every possible scenario and implementing the best plan, based on safeguarding public health, social cohesion and economics."
