Greece has extended measures to fight Covid-19 for another week, until October 12.
The announcement was made by Deputy Civil Protection and Crises Management Minister Nikos Hardalias.
In the Attica Region, where accounts for almost half the daily cases, the following restrictions will continue to apply:
- All restaurants and bars will be closed from midnight until 5 am
- A ban on gatherings of over 9 people for any reason and in both public and private spaces
- The suspension of open-air and indoor concerts, film screenings in indoor cinemas and all theatrical performances
- A maximum limit of 20 people at weddings, baptisms and funerals
- A maximum of 4 people per table at eating places (unless they are relatives, which allows up to 6 people per table)
- The suspension of the operation of all retail outlets from midnight until 5:00 in the morning the next day, including kiosks and mini-markets, tobacco shops, liquor stores, grocery stores, bakeries and confectioners. Exceptions include pharmacies, fuel stations, automated vending machines (except those selling alcoholic drinks), as well as take away, drive through and delivery from catering businesses, barring the sale of alcohol
- Mandatory use of a mask in all indoor public and private work spaces, as well as all outdoor places where people congregate, such as plazas, bus stops, queues, demonstrations and political party events where the 1.5-metre rule cannot be observed
- Temporary suspension of private businesses providing the following services: bars in a dance club, cabaret and night-club services, entertainment venues and cafes or bars offering live music, discoteque and concert halls
- Vendors at street markets are required to use a non-surgical masks with only 50% of vendors of each category at the market each time, with a minimum distance between stalls of three metres and free space in between
- Mandatory remote working for 40% of employees in the private and public sector when doing office jobs that can be done remotely (including flexibility in the arrival and departure of staff)
- Sweeping inspections and sanctions on employers and employees that fail to observe the individual protection measures in the work place, namely the use of masks
- Extensive testing and inspections by National Organisation for Public Health (NOPH) teams in work spaces and gatherings in the areas of Attica that are worst hit and in public and private-sector services where this is judged necessary "for the smooth running of the state and the economy," such as schools, public transport and hospitals.
Authorities are also advising those over 65 to restrict themselves to only essential movements for the next 14 days and take the necessary protection measures, while avoiding contact with others apart from the immediate family and the use of public transport.
In the regional units of Trikala, Pella, Pieria, Kilkis, Lesvos, Imathia, Chania, Heraklion, Halkidiki, Zakynthos and the municipalities of Mykonos and Kythnos:
- All restaurants and bars will be closed from midnight until 5 am
- A ban on gatherings of over 9 people for any reason and in both public and private spaces
- A suspension of every kind of event such as open markets, panayiria (religious celebrations), and parades
- A maximum of 4 people per table at eating places (unless they are relatives, which allows up to 6 people per table)
- Mandatory use of a mask on the entire island, both in indoor and outdoor areas.
In the regional units of Thessaloniki, Corfu, Larisa, Karditsa, Rethymno, Lasithi and the municipalities of Thira, Volos, Katerini, Rhodes, Kos, Paros and Antiparos:
- Mandatory use of a mask in indoor areas
- Ban on the operation of all venues and shops from midnight until 5am
People over 65 throughout the country are advised to generally use a mask and avoid public and private spaces where many people congregate, public services, public utilities, banks and public transport.
