Greece Shuts Restaurants, Bars, Malls as Coronavirus Cases Rise

In response to the rising number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, Greece on Friday announced that it was tightening its nationwide shutdown further and updated its list of businesses and establishments that are to remain closed for the next two weeks.

The latest restrictions were announced on Friday as the coronavirus cases in the country rose to 190.

According to an announcement by the Health Ministry, from Saturday, March 14 and for a period of 14 days the following businesses and establishments will remain closed throughout the country:

• Shopping malls, department stores, discount outlets
• All cafés (including the traditional kafeneia establishments), bars and restaurants with the exception of delivery and take-away services
• Nightclubs
• Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums
• Libraries
• Museums, archaeological sites
• Betting agencies (OPAP), casinos, gaming clubs with the exception of street vendors
• Sports facilities, sports clubs, cultural clubs and associations (excluding outdoor sports areas which are to be specified)
• Theme parks (amusement parks etc) / public recreational spaces are excluded.
• Barbershops, hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlors, brothels, tattoo and piercing parlors

Among the establishments that are allowed to remain open are:

• Retail shops (with the exception of the aforementioned)
• Supermarkets
• Farmers markets (known in Greece as laïkí̱)
• Bakeries and pastry shops (without tables and sitting areas)
• Pharmacies
• Private health services
• Cafes for product distribution and take away orders
• Hotel restaurants (strictly for the service of tourists that offer a delivery/take away service from restaurants operating inside)
• Banks (under specific instructions for up to 5 people in each establishment / counters with protective measures, the possibility of extended hours)