Greece’s Restaurants, Cafes and Bars to Reopen on May 25

Greece’s restaurants, cafes and bars, closed for two months as part of Covid-19 containment measures, are scheduled to reopen to the public, with new rules for owners and customers, on May 25. The country’s taverns, snack bars and fast food establishments will also reopen.

The health ministry’s infectious disease specialists, citing epidemiological data on the course of the pandemic in Greece, gave the go ahead for the country’s restaurants, cafes and bars to reopen one week earlier than scheduled (June 1).

The government has announced restrictive rules for owners to follow regarding how many customers are allowed in such establishments, depending always on the size.

One customer per two square meters is allowed in the indoor and outdoor spaces of restaurants, cafes and bars. Among other rules:

• The set minimum distance between tables, according to each establishment’s setup, ranges from from 0.70 cm to 1.70 cm.
• The maximum number of customers per table is six people. There is no limit in the case of a family with minors.
• Employees in restaurants, cafes and bars must wear face masks at all times (depending on the position they serve). Customers are also advised to wear face coverings.

The Greek government has announced that it will give the possibility to owners of restaurants, cafes and bars to expand seating in the outdoor areas of their establishments until December 31. Owners will be allowed to add more tables and chairs in their outdoor areas as long as they do not obstruct pedestrian passage ways on sidewalks.

A relevant amendment on the matter will be submitted in parliament on Monday, in a Tourism Ministry bill titled “Special forms of tourism and provisions for tourism development”.