Greece has tightened its protective measures over a spike in coronavirus infection rates. In numerous areas and cities, including popular tourist destinations, restaurants and bars will have to close at midnight, government spokeswoman Aristotelia Peloni announced on TV on Monday. In addition, entry restrictions for travelers from several EU countries have been imposed. However, travelers from Germany are not affected.
On the Greek islands, restaurants have to close at midnight
According to the government spokeswoman, the popular islands of Corfu, Kos, Crete, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini and Zakynthos are among the places where bars and restaurants have to close at night. The catering establishments must remain closed there between midnight and 7 a.m. On some of these islands, vacationers can enjoy themselves until late at night in bars and restaurants.
According to the spokeswoman, the cities of Katerini, Larissa, Thessaloniki and Volos as well as the Chalkidiki peninsula are also affected by the curfew at midnight. The nocturnal Bars and restaurants will be closed until August 23rd.
Negative corona test necessary
In addition, travelers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the Czech Republic who come to Greece by plane or overland must show a negative coronavirus test. The test must not be older than 72 hours. These entry restrictions apply from next Monday, as Peloni said.
In Greece, 203 new coronavirus infections were recorded on Sunday, the highest daily number since the pandemic began. On Monday, 126 new infections were counted. The total number of registered corona deaths was 213 on Monday.
Even if there has been a significant increase in infection rates since the start of the holiday season, Greece is still slightly affected by the pandemic in a European comparison.
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