Covid-19: Greece Scraps Mandatory Outdoor Masks Rule

Photo source: Athens Municipality

Greece will lift its mandatory requirement of mask-wearing outdoors from Saturday, March 5.

The decision follows a recommendation on Wednesday by the country’s Covid committee of health experts.

Announcing the news, Health Minister Thanos Plevris said that it was highly recommended for citizens to continue to wear masks outdoors in cases of crowding.

The expert committee also proposed for all means of public transport to operate once again with a 100 percent capacity.

It is reminded that the Greek government had lifted more Covid-19 measures in February, allowing standing customers at bars, clubs and cafes, and school field-trips.

Speaking to SKAI TV on Wednesday, Plevris highlighted that it will take longer for Greece to scrap the mask-wearing measure indoors. However, he said that the “return to normalcy” for vaccinated citizens should be possible by the end of March.

The country’s Covid experts committee is hoping to lift most measures by Orthodox Easter in April and summer, provided that the pandemic figures drop throughout Europe.

Plevris also reiterated that Covid-19 testing will target mainly those who have symptoms, as long as the pandemic subsides.

“We will not need to conduct 400,000 tests per day,” he said.

Referring to Greece’s opening to tourists, Plevris said that travel restrictions for inbound travelers will gradually be removed including the mandatory submission of the PLF (a mandatory document needed to travel to Greece).

Greece on Wednesday announced 15,557 Covid-19 cases and 57 related deaths.