Extended working hours for supermarkets in Greece go into effect as of Thursday, March 19, 2020. “Supermarkets will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.” Development and Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis said on Wednesday.
“On Sundays, supermarkets will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.” he added.
Georgiadis said that the relevant legislative act will be issued later in the day.
He reiterated that supermarket shelves are full and that people can do their shopping calmly as opening hours have been extended.
He called on supermarkets to hir additional personnel now that they will operate with extended hours (and thousands of businesses have been shut down.)
Greeks have been rushing to supermarkets for panic buying even before the government started to impose more and more restrictive measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
People crowded again and again with the effect that the government imposed restrictions for the number of customers inside and at the same time. One customer per 10 square meters, distance of 2 meters while queuing at the cash registers, and shopping preferably to be concluded within 30 minutes.
The extended hours are an additional measure.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, pet shops, open food markets (laiki) and several other shops and services will remain open as of today, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the day all commercial stores have shut down by government order.
Click here for the updated list of shops and services that remain open.
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