ATHENS – The effectiveness of Greece’s lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus is working well enough to have the government said considering allowing the reopening of some businesses beginning May 4.
It will be guided by how well people adhere to the requirements they stay at home except for going on allowed missions such as supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, hospitals, doctors, exercise or to essential businesses that are open.
A gradual easing that would allow staggered openings is being mulled, said Kathimerini, as the New Democracy government feels that otherwise there will be growing defiance of the lockdown as people pent up grow restless.
While an Easter exodus to villages and islands was prevented by a plan requiring people going there to have tax forms proving it was their permanent residence, the combination of warmer weather and cabin fever could make more want to get out.
The first that would be allowed to reopen – in the opposite order of when they were closed – would be small businesses such as clothing stores and shoe shops.
All stores, however, would have to limit how many customers are allowed in and ensure they stay at least 1.5-meters (4.92 feet) apart to prevent the virus from spreading until there is a vaccine, seen a year off or even more.
But department stores are to remain closed, however, as are beaches and parks, sources not identified told the paper, which could make it difficult to police the country’s coasts and beaches.
During the lockdown, violators have been fined 150 euros ($163.25) and businesses 5,000 euros ($5441.65) and owners prosecuted and facing jail for staying open, with more than 40,000 fines issued so far since the lockdown began March 23.
The reopening of cafes, restaurants, and bars will be considered later after the first wave of openings is as assessed to prevent the virus coming back stronger and ensure public safety and health.
But cafes, restaurants, bars, and eating establishments won’t be allowed to be packed and will have to limit how many customers are admitted and with fewer tables further apart although it wasn’t said how staff could keep apart while working and serving.
Schools are only expected to reopen for senior high pupils to sit university entry examinations, most probably in June or July, the paper said, and with students sitting apart from each other and buffering desks empty.
There’s no plan yet for a general lifting of the stay at home order and even when it is the elderly and those susceptible to the virus will stay be barred from going out for some time except for essential trips being allowed.
The restrictions on the movement of refugees and migrants living in detention centers and camps have been extended until May 10, the government also said.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
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