No Easter travel. When businesses will reopen
ATHENS. The Greek PM΄s announcement regarding the pandemic and the gradual reopening of businesses.
Addressing the Greek public in national broadcast, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined that Attica and other large Greek cities still have many Covid-19 cases and that any mass movement of citizens between the country’s regions carries the risk of the virus spreading everywhere.
“I have said that our goal is a safe Easter and a free summer. But the former cannot undermine the latter. That’s why we should not travel at Easter… We must not only think about our holidays, but also about the health of the inhabitants of our villages and islands,” Mitsotakis said.
According to the Greek PM, provided that Greece does not face a new upsurge of Covid-19 cases after Easter, the government will ease lockdown restrictions in three stages:
- Monday, 3 May: Outdoor areas of restaurants, cafes and all catering establishments will reopen under health rules that include frequent mandatory self-testing for employees. All tables and seats in outdoor areas must be arranged to allow for social distancing. The night curfew will be from 11pm to 5am instead of 9pm as it is today.
– Monday, 10 May: Junior high schools and primary schools will reopen. Mandatory self-testing for Covid-19 will apply for all pupils, teachers and administrative staff. Health and safety rules will apply in classrooms.
– Saturday, 15 May: Travel between Greek regions will be allowed. Also, as previously announced, tourism will reopen for visitors who have been fully vaccinated or have been tested negative for Covid-19. Some cultural activities will also be allowed.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the vaccination platform for those aged over 30 is expected to open next week.
“The goal is to spread the wall of immunity in the country even faster,” he said.
