Greece to gradually lift coronavirus-related restrictions from next month

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) – Greece announced on Wednesday that it will gradually abolish several coronavirus-related restrictions beginning next month, including COVID-19 immunization certificates for indoor activities.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris said in a news conference that the presentation of COVID-19 vaccination and recovery certificates will no longer be required to enter indoor or outdoor venues from May 1 until Aug. 31, when the measures will be re-evaluated.

The use of masks will be required until May 31, after which it will be abolished for the first time since the onset of the pandemic in the country.

The European Travel Certificate requirement is still in force, but the countries for which it will be abolished will be reassessed at a later date, Plevris noted.

Self-tests will be phased down after the Easter break, when classes begin, and only one rapid test per week will be required for unvaccinated people to go to work.

All restrictions on the number of customers in venues are set to be eliminated from May 1 through Aug. 31, while the measures will be re-examined from Sept. 1.

For the first time since the pandemic outbreak, all religious services will be held as normal throughout the Easter holidays, despite the existing restrictions.

The number of infections in Greece has dropped in recent weeks, with authorities reporting 15,000 infections and 64 deaths on Tuesday.

Almost 72% of the 11 million Greek population are fully vaccinated.