Mount Athos extends coronavirus shutdown

Mount Athos has extended its ban for visitors and pilgrims to May 17, as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the decision of the administration of Mount Athos, teachers, students and staff at the Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy located at Karyes (Mt. Athos), are exempt from the ban. The school teaches a Greek secondary curriculum combined with an ecclesiastical education.

Mount Athos first shut its doors to visitors on March 19. 

Four monks of Xenophontos Monastery on Mount Athos, last month tested positive for coronavirus after returning from the UK.