Greece Drops Face Mask Rule for Indoor Spaces Starting June 1

Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris on Wednesday announced that face masks will no longer be required for indoor spaces between June 1 – September 15.

Speaking on SKAI television, Plevris said the country’s Covid-19 committee of experts decided that exceptions will apply and face masks will still be required in some instances.

Under the revised guidelines, as of June 1, masks will no longer be mandatory in indoor areas including at supermarkets, restaurants, shops, malls, hair salons etc.

The minister added that masks will also not be necessary in means of transport with numbered seats including airplanes, intercity trains and KTEL buses.

The lifting of the measure also concerns employees in all the aforementioned areas.

Where mask-wearing will remain mandatory

Photo source: eea.gr

According to Plevris, mask wearing will remain mandatory in hospitals, senior care homes and when using public means of transport (buses, trolleys, electric railway, metro and tram).

The health minister added that the country’s Covid-19 committee of experts will decide next week if mask wearing will remain mandatory in schools, universities and when traveling on ferries to the islands.

“Abolishing the mandatory wearing of facemasks means that the administrative fine will not be imposed. However, we continue to recommend that masks continue to be worn in all these areas and especially by vulnerable people,” Plevris said.

The decision to do away with the face mask rule is expected to be reassessed in the fall.

It is noted that Greece scrapped its outdoors mask wearing rule on March 5.