Greece ‘s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Tuesday afternoon the roadmap according to which the lockdown will be gradually lifted. Starting on May 4 government plans extend over a period of 45 days, that is until beginning of July. “We were confronted with an invisible and sneaky enemy, we took unprecedented measures, the economy paralyzed, we stayed away from those we love and from the churches,” Mitsotakis said. Thanking the frontline health workers who fought against the COVID-19 and the citizens who complied with the restrictions, he said that today, the public hospitals are enhanced with more personnel.

He underlined that the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospitals and the Intensive Care Units is constantly decreasing. Surveillance of the impact of the lockdown lifting will be on 24-hour basis, Mitsotakis stressed. The roadmap is based on the assumption that everything will go well, the citizens will continue to comply with keeping safety distance and hygiene measures, they will avoid crowding and there will be no resurgence of the coronavirus. Authorities have warned that restrictions will be reimposed locally or on broader regions should the number of infections will rise again. Restriction measures were first imposed on March 6 with the closure of the schools, businesses were shut down in groups, while citizens were allowed to leave their homes only with “movement permits” since March 23. Restrictions including movement permits remain in force until May 4. The gradual lifting of the lockdown has 7 stages and is initially published for May 4, 11 and 18. The plan for June will be announced on May 18 after thorough evaluation of the impact on the health of the general population.

May 4, 2020
First thing to be lifted is the obligation of holding movement permits via sms or handwritten papers. Allowed in exercise outdoors and at the sea (swimming!). Organized beaches will open at a later point. Opening of small shops, hairdressers’ barbershops, beauty parlors. Bookstores, sports-stores Garden shops, optics shops Churches but only for individual prayer. Public hospitals open again for tactical surgeries and external patients. No car restrictions inside Athens (daktylios) for the month of May. Allowed on vehicles driver and 2 passengers Traffic restrictions from one prefecture to another will remain in force.
May 11
Students of the 3rd Lyceum grade will return to classes. Other Lyceum and High School classes will open on May 18. Official announcements about the schools are scheduled on Wednesday, April 29, by Education Minister Niki Kerameos. Remaining retail stores
May 17
Churches open to the public, the faithful are allowed to attend religious services under strict rules.
May 18
Zoo and botanical gardens archaeological sites Gambling facilities (OPAP) Traffic restrictions* within the country will be lifted all together, that is movement from one prefecture and away from the area of the residence permit will be lifted. Most possible traveling to islands will remain only for residents.
June 1
Shopping malls and department stores Cafes, bars, restaurants will allow to have customers in outdoors space. Hotels of 12-month operation Remaining justice facilities, courts Below is a rough schedule of the restrictions lifting as posted before Mitsotakis announcement by the media and this includes also the “travel restrictions* to countryside and the islands.). Beginning of June Entertainment and sports venues (cinemas, theaters, entertainment centers, gyms, etc.) Restoration of the domestic flights Primary schools and possibly also kindergartens and daycare centers.
mid- June June 15
Hotels that are usually open all year, seasonal tourist accommodation. Opening of organized beaches Restoration of sea traffic to the islands Group sports Hotel units on islands and areas where there is insufficient health infrastructure, are expected to open in late Juneand early July and once the issue of air transport has been resolved.
End June
Restoration of international flights Restart of Super League Beginning of July Opening of seasonal tourist accommodation facilities It is noted that the labor rallies and events on May Day will take place on May 9, as movement restrictions are still in force eon May 1. The Prime Minister said that large gatherings like in concerts and sports events are unlikely this summer. Following Mitsotakis’ address to the nation, several ministers will brief the public in detail about the roadmap. PS this post will be updated if more details about the restrictions lifting are published today.