Greece is relaxing some of the restrictions against Covid-19 due to the recent decrease of daily infections. Health Minister Thanos Plevris announced on Thursday evening that the closure of restaurants and other venues at midnight will be lifted and so the ban of music that now will be allowed again in restaurants, bars and other venues.
However, the restrictions for seated customers only will remain in force, the minister said.
The lifting of restrictions will go into effect from Monday, January 31, 2022.
Plevris announcement followed a meeting of the epidemiologists’ committee earlier on the day.
The government had leaked to the press already in the morning that the restrictions would be lifted so that the sector would be able to operate again as usual.
According to some exclusive information by healthreport.gr, though, many scientists raised objections for the lifting of restrictions in restaurants and entertainment. However they accepted the proposal following government pressure, the health issues website reports.
Minister Plevris announced also that restrictions in stadiums will remain in force and will be examined again next week. Media had reported in the morning that capacity would be allowed by 50%.
The Minister added that an extension is given for the validity of the vaccination certificate due to the bad weather that had hindered many people to get a vaccination. The extension is given from January 31 to February 7, 2022.
The measure originally provided that vaccination certificate is valid for 7 months and that those who do not proceed with the booster shot would be considered as unvaccinated. this means that they would not be allowed to enter closed spaces of restaurants and other venues and gyms.The measure was to go into effect from February 1, but now it will apply from Feb 8.
