Covid-19 Government measures Covid-19 Fatigue Forces Greek Authorities to Allow Shopping by Maria Paravantes 1 April 2021 written by Maria Paravantes 1 April 2021 1 comment Share 0FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 26 Greeks will finally be able to go shopping as of Monday, April 5, after authorities gave the go-ahead for small retail shops to open allowing at the same time movement between municipalities on weekends. Consumers will be given a three-hour period per day to do their shopping and will be required to first book an appointment and then send a text message to the new five-digit number 13032, officials said. The 13032 number is to be used only to request movement for shopping. Investments & Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis stressed however, that the three-hour window applies to all shopping for a day irrelevant of the number of stores booked and that shoppers will need to have proof of appointment booked via SMS. Shopping malls will remain closed. According to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, shops cannot allow more than one customer per 25m2. The government decided to re-open the retail sector and ease measures on Wednesday, in efforts to address Covid-19 lockdown fatigue despite the spike in the number of coronavirus cases to 3,616 and 76 deaths on Wednesday. Movement between municipalities Movement between municipalities will be allowed only on weekends for shopping or exercise. Starting on Saturday, April 3, driving to municipalities outside place of residence will be allowed on weekends only under code 6 for text messaging and with maximum of three people per vehicle or families. ‘Very Close’ to Opening Restaurants Outdoors Georgiadis ruled out the opening of gyms, because he said they are still considered points of high transmission. He added that OPAP betting venues will remain closed, but opening will be reconsidered next week. Lastly, with regard to food and beverages (F&B) services providers including the restaurants, which are among the hardest hit by months-long containment measures, Georgiadis said the government was “very close” to suggesting they re-open only outdoors. Besides hinging hopes on the vaccination rollout, Greek authorities are also expecting the availability of self-tests in the coming week to help reduce cases. Georgiadis said specific guidelines will be announced on Friday. Self-tests will be available for free at pharmacies and self-testing will be conducted at home. Pharmacists will not carry out testing as initially announced. Citizens are entitled to four free Covid-19 test kits per month using their social security number (AMKA). Pharmacies will also be selling rapid tests. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Government Spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni said the re-opening of schools well be examined again next week with a tentative opening date set for April 12 provided self-testing is carried out by students and teachers. Lastly, the government is expected later today to announce additional support measures and actions for F&B services providers impacted by the ongoing lockdowns. Join the 15,000+ travel executives who read our newsletter Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece. Share 0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail Maria Paravantes Chicago-born and raised, Maria Paravantes has over two decades of journalistic experience covering tourism and travel, gastronomy, arts, music and culture, economy and finance, politics, health and social issues for international press and media. She has worked for Reuters, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, Billboard Magazine, Time Out Athens, the Athens News, Odyssey Magazine and SETimes.com, among others. She has also served as Special Advisor to Greece’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the mayor of Athens on international press and media issues. Maria is currently a reporter, content and features writer for GTP Headlines. previous post Tourism Accommodation Facilities to Get Lease Extension next post HOTREC Rolls Out #TogetherForHospitality Campaign to Support Tourism Recovery You may also like Greece’s Hotel Market Sees Major Investments Over Four Months 5 February 2025 Greek Tourism Ministry Monitors Santorini Situation as Seismic Activity Continues 5 February 2025 Global Air Passenger Demand Reaches Record High in 2024, IATA Reports 5 February 2025 Greek PM Reassures Public About Santorini’s Ongoing Seismic Activity 5 February 2025 Milos: Ministry Suspends 5-star Hotel Construction Near Sarakiniko Beach 5 February 2025 ELIME and HELMEPA Join Forces for Safer, More Sustainable Greek Ports 5 February 2025 1 comment Vivi Robinson 2 April 2021 - 12:19 And what if we don’t have an Amka? How do we get tested? Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ