Churches in Greece reopen to the faithful on May 17

A Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) issued by the Education and Religion ministry and the Health Ministry and published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday, will allow all kinds of religious ceremonies and liturgies (including weddings and christenings) to be conducted with the attendance of the faithful in the places of worship of all religious communities.

The decision will apply from May 17 to June 5.

The JMD will allow one person per 10 square metres, while congregation members must maintain a safe distance of 1.5m from each other. A maximum of 50 people will be allowed in places of worship that have an area of more than 500 square meters.

The decision also advises the use of masks but makes the use of antiseptic hand gels or wipes mandatory for everyone entering a church or other religious venue.