Greece Plans to Ease Covid-19 Lockdown Restrictions as of December 1

Greece will gradually restart its economic activity as of December 1 when the country’s second national lockdown is scheduled to end, Deputy Development Minister Nikos Papathanasis said on Monday.

Speaking to Skai TV, Papathanasis explained that Greece’s coronavirus (Covid-19) situation seems to be stabilizing, which indicates that there will be a serious decline in the spread of the virus.

Retail stores and restaurants are planned to open first, according to the deputy minister.

“The scientific proposal of the epidemiological committee was for the lockdown to last three weeks and we will implement it for three weeks. We take expert knowledge under consideration,” he said.

Papathanasis explained that the government will follow a restart plan similar to the one applied in spring, after the first lockdown. The restart of the country’s economic activity had begun with the opening of small shops. Retail shops followed one week later, restaurants opened two weeks later and indoor areas were accessible three weeks later.

He added that the restart will take place under strict measures and assured that crowding in the streets will be avoided.

When asked if – after the lockdown – citizens will still have to notify authorities of their movement via SMS, Papathanasis said that further information on the subject will be provided before the lockdown is over.

The deputy minister added that stricter measures may also be taken regarding the amount of people who can be in stores, restaurants or shopping malls.

Greek health authorities on Sunday announced 1,698 new coronavirus infections and 71 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, the total number of cases has reached 74,205. The Covid-19 death toll in Greece has reached 1,106.

Greece’s lockdown, which was imposed to combat the sharp spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, began on November 7.