Covid-19: Greece Puts Limit on Household Gatherings for Holiday Celebrations

Government Spokesperson Stelios Petsas on Monday said the government has put a limit on the number of people who can legally gather in a house to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays.

According to Petsas, no more than nine people (two households) should gather in the same house in order to avoid overcrowding.

“For the eve and on the day of Christmas and New Year, we recommend to all that these holidays should not be an occasion for crowding. In any case, it is not allowed for more than nine people from two households to gather in one house,” the government’s spokesperson said during a media briefing.

The restriction has been announced by the Greek government to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

Petsas reiterated that restrictions on movement will not be lifted during the holidays and the night curfew (10 pm to 5 am) will apply throughout the holiday season.

Outside movement will continue to be allowed only for specific reasons and by sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033.

Greek Government Spokesperson Stelios Petsas.

The government as of December 14 softened a few of Greece’s Covid-19 lockdown restrictions for the Christmas and new year holidays.

Retailers are allowed to open only for consumers to physically pick up merchandise they ordered online or by telephone through the new “click-away” system. Shopping in stores remains banned.

Also allowed to operate as of December 14 – in accordance to strict rules – are the country’s hair salons, barber shops and bookstores.

Greek health authorities on Monday announced 639 confirmed coronavirus cases and 62 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, the total number of cases in the country has reached 125,173. The Covid-19 death toll in Greece is 3,687.