Greece extends lockdown restrictions, secondary education opens on Feb 1

Greece has extended the lockdown movement restrictions on Friday as the reopening of secondary school education has been announced to take place on Monday, February 1, 2021. However, the movement restrictions have some exceptions like for the number of passengers in taxis and students who rent in another regional unit.

Head of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias announced on Friday afternoon what remains in force and what changes.

Remain in force:

Night curfew 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. with the usual exceptions for workers, health reasons and pet walking

Movement with SMS to 13033 or hand-written form

Travel ban from regional unit to regional unit

Mandatory use of mask in- and outdoors

Ban for hobby hunting and fishing. Exception for hunters in the regional units of Rodopi, Xanthi and Evros due to swine flu outbreak and only for wild board hunting.

What changes:

Up to 2 passengers are allowed to taxi in addition to the driver.

Students are allowed to travel to another regional unit to un-lease a rented apartment. The whole action has to conclude in 72 hours. Details here in Greek.

Deputy Minister Hardalias said that gambling stores OPAP may open on February 1, however customers will not be allowed to sit.

Gymnasiums and Lyceums will open on February 1, 2021. However, in regions marked as “red” due to a high number of infections, distance education for lyceum students will continue.

Nikos Hardalias announced also the extension of stricter lockdown measures in areas with high epidemiological load and thus until February 1.

These are:

Viotia with 114 active cases and 182 close contact sin house isolation

Lesvos: 59 active, 123 close contacts

The Municipalities of Sparti (49 active cases), Eordia (66) Krokos (33), Siatista (13), Aspropyrgos (78).

Also in the Municipality of Acharnes, western Athens, that has 195 cases – increased from 166 last week and despite the stricter lockdown.

Stricter lockdown will be lifter from Monday, January 25 in: Kalymnos, Argolida, Palaikastro (Lasithi) and Anthili (Lamia).

It should be recalled that also on Friday, the Greek Civil Aviation Authority extended travel restrictions for international flight passengers until February 8, 2021. See details here.

Regarding restaurants and cafes, media reported that it is unlikely to open before March 1.