Second phase of lifting lockdown in Greece

Greece has entered the second phase in lifting its lockdown, with all remaining retail stores that had been shut down in March, allowed to reopen.

However, a new Joint Ministerial Decision (JND) published in the Government’s Gazette on Monday, temporarily bans the operation of various private businesses and other places across the country where people gather in large numbers for the period until May 17, 2020 as a measure to avert the spread of Covid-19.

Based on the new JMD, access to all organised beaches, snow resorts, ski lifts, and flea markets is prohibited.

This comes as a heatwave is expected to hit Greece this week, with temperatures exceeding an unseasonal 35°C in central and southern parts of the country.

The operation of shops and businesses inside ports and airports is permitted but not those in outlets, shopping malls and discount villages, unless the store has its own independent entrance for customers.

On Sunday, health authorities announced zero new deaths and six new confirmed infections, bringing the death toll over 150 and the confirmed infections to more than 2,700 in the country of nearly 11 million.