The lifting of the restrictive measures that had been imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus begins on Monday, May 4, according to the Plan for the gradual de-escalation of restrictive measures - Safety bridge for a new daily life announced yesterday 28/04/2020 by the government.

From next Monday, the sending of an SMS to 13033 or the written confirmation is abolished. However, indoor traffic should be done with the mandatory use of a mask.

Also, the reopening of stores will be allowed in various phases, with strict health rules and in case the use of a protective mask is not observed, a fine of 150 euros will be imposed.

Safety bridge for lifting restrictive measures

In summary, the main changes that the Plan for the gradual de-escalation of restrictive measures that starts on May 4 will bring are the following:

• The sms is abolished and the movement will now be free within the Prefecture of residence
• From May 18, it will be allowed to move from county to county
• The use of a mask is mandatory in all enclosed spaces such as public transport, shops, hospitals, hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons, diagnostic centers, etc.
• On May 11, schools open only for Lyceum C(High school) and on May 18, the rest of the Lyceum classes and Gymnasiums will operate.
• On June 1, and after a newer assessment of the situation, kindergartens and primary schools will open
• Crèches will be closed
• Churches will open on May 4 for individual prayer and on May 17 for all believers always with safety measures
• Individual sports will be allowed in the open spaces and at sea. But the organized beaches will still remain closed.

More details on the lifting of the restrictive measures

Which stores open on May 4 and which on May 11

The reopening of stores and other activities will be done with specific rules and strict supervision for the lifting of restrictive measures.

Bookstores, electronics, KTEO and sporting goods stores open on May 4. Like hairdressers, but always by appointment.

The rest of the retail will restart on Monday, May 11, except for shopping malls, which will open on June 1.

In 7 stages the opening of businesses

First stage (placed on May 4)

The retail trade companies (optical bookstores, sports equipment, plant sales, consumer markets) are restarted and the movement of producers for the farmers' markets between regions is liberalised) and the provision of services (hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons and KTEO). The codes that restart are 47.41, 47.42, 47.61, 47.62, 47.64, 47.76, 71.20, 96.02. Footwear service providers, opticians' shops and hearing aid shops are also restarting.

Regarding the observance of distances in the businesses that will reopen, these are as follows: In retail businesses up to 20 sq. m. 4 people, from 20 sq. m. – 100 sq. m. 4 people + 1 person / 10 sq. m. and over 100 sq. m. 12 people + 1/ 15 sq. m.

Regarding the regulation of the opening hours of businesses, their start is transferred to 10.00 a.m. with extended hours as appropriate, keeping distances of 2 meters per person, use of a mask for staff and customers, while it is recommended not to use elevators, but if necessary then the use of 40% of the prescribed people is allowed, while if the store has escalators, customers are not allowed to use the elevator

For barbershops, hairdressers and beauty salons, a distance of 2 meters between workstations will be applied. Arrival of customers only by appointment and their entry in a list that will be compiled by the company at the beginning of daily operation. It is mandatory to use a mask on everyone and disposable gloves for employees in beauty salons. Opening hours are released from 7.00 – 22.00 on weekdays and from 7.00 – 21.00 on Saturdays. Retail concentration restrictions apply. In case of more than one level, the presence of more than one person is not allowed 1 / 10 sq.m..

For the operation of the KTEO, the same conditions of customer attendance apply. In the farmers' markets, the measures of operation of 50% and non-sale of industrial goods remain

Second stage

In the second stage, which will apply on May 11, the rest of the retail businesses are restarting with the same rules as in the first phase. Industrial goods are returning to the laity and driving schools are reopening, with masks and gloves.

Third stage

In the third stage on 18 May, the third stage is the reopening of the archaeological sites , zoological parks and botanical gardens and no shows are allowed. Gambling shops are also reopening without providing services to seated people.

Fourth stage

In the fourth stage, on June 1, shopping malls, restaurants and cafes reopen outdoors with a distance of 2 meters and 4 people per table

Fifth stage

In the fifth stage, which will be determined in June, open-air cinemas restart with 1.5 m distance between spectators per row and occupancy up to 60%. Also, 12-month hotels are reopening, with conditions similar to cafes and restaurants.

Sixth stage

In the sixth stage, amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor playgrounds are reopening, with the same distancing rules.

Seventh stage

In the seventh stage, indoor restaurants and cafes, entertainment businesses, holiday accommodation and sports facilities are reopening.

How the State will operate – KAPI and crèches remain closed

Regarding the lifting of restrictive measures, remote and rotational work continues, as is the case to date. There will be an increase in services for the citizen that can be done online (through e-gov) and tele-appointments, enhancing the digital governance of the state

There will also be a differentiation in the time of arrival of employees in the public administration and their distribution in zones for safety in public transport. From next Monday public sector employees working in the morning shift will come to work in three phases, either at 7, 8 or 9 a.m.. The competent bodies should ensure that workers are distributed equally in each of the three zones.

The special purpose permit continues, which is maintained depending on the course of opening of schools. When elementary, middle schools, kindergartens and kindergartens open, a circular issued by the Ministry of Interior will redefine the number of beneficiaries of the special permit. The special leave of absence for high-risk groups is also maintained.

It is maintained as is the way of service with the State. If online or remote service is not possible, this continues to be done by pre-arranged appointment.

The use of the new digital services and the service of the public by the JEPs continues to be used by sending documents at home by courier.

As far as the municipal structures are concerned, the KAPI and the Friendship Clubs remain closed until further notice. Municipal kindergartens and nurseries and KDAP will remain closed and their reopening will be redefined depending on the epidemiological development. Outdoor sports facilities, such as sports stadiums, open and can welcome athletes with the observance of health rules. On the contrary, closed gyms will not operate. Playgrounds will also remain closed, the opening of which will depend on the opening of primary school units.

How Public Transport will work after the lifting of the restrictive measures

The use of a protective mask in public transport travel by employees and passengers will be mandatory. The entrance to the stations will be controlled in order to achieve the necessary physical distance and increase the confusion of the routes to the maximum possible extent, from the first day of implementation of the framework for the gradual lifting of restrictions, are the rules that will apply from now on to our movements.

More specifically:

• In the metro and electric, today, the frequency of trains is at 7.5 minutes during peak hours and it is planned to go down to 6 minutes
• On the tram, from 11 minutes, the goal is to reach 8 minutes at rush hours
• In buses and trolleybuses, from 550 vehicles currently in circulation, their number in the next period will rise to 1,000

The densification of vehicles during peak hours will be accompanied by a simultaneous reduction of the transit frequencies in the intermediate intervals, i.e. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to midnight. Also, in cooperation with the co-competent ministries, it was decided to vary the time of arrival of employees in the public administration and divide it into three zones (07.00, 08.00 and 09.00 a.m.).

Also, the suspension of the ring is extended until the end of May. For taxis, the rule that still applies today, i.e. the driver and a passenger, continues to apply, with the well-known exceptions of transporting a parent with minor children or accompanying a person for medical reasons.

General remarks on the lifting of restrictive measures

The instructions that follow concern collectively the lifting of restrictive measures on safety, movement of citizens (Scheduling and travel) as well as the unhindered return to work (Hours, remote work and other special issues)