New measures are being implemented starting today to limit the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 in Greece, and there are now three levels of public health safety in effect.
– In the monitoring zone, which includes all prefectures that are currently in the «green» and «yellow» categories – [Yellow]
– In the high-risk zone, which includes areas classified as «red» and «orange» -[Red], that is, the entire Northern Greece and the Attica, and now
– In the zone comprising the «gray» areas—that is, as of this morning, the Regional Units of Thessaloniki and Serres.
Thus, starting today, Tuesday, November 3, at 6 a.m., and for one month, the measures will apply throughout the country and will be uniform regardless of the level of public health safety and protection in each regionare as follows:
1. Masks are required everywhere.
2. Traffic restrictions from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
3. Prohibition on boarding public transportation without a mask.
4. Mandatory teleworking for at least 50% in the private and public sectors.
5. Mandatory online education at universities.
6. Suspension of visiting hours at all welfare facilities.
Sports
Level A – Surveillance (yellow):
Practices and matches without spectators, a reduction to 75% in the maximum number of athletes per facility, while the specific guidelines and health protocols for training sessions and matches remain in effect General Secretariat for Sports.
With regard to gyms, at Level A, masks are required for staff and for the public while waiting in gym areas and in all common areas of the gym, as well as in the group exercise. Wearing a mask is not mandatory in the individual sports (e.g., treadmill, weights) while maintaining a distance of 2 meters. In addition, the ratio of 1 person per 10 square meters must be observed.
Level B – High Risk (Red):
Suspension of all athletic activities. Individual exercise is permitted only in outdoor open spaces, without a trainer. In addition, individual sports are permitted only at open-air facilities and for specific sports, such as tennis, shooting, archery, sailing (with a single-person crew), rowing (with a single-person crew), canoeing and kayaking (with a single-person crew), water skiing, track and field, swimming (in open water), cycling, golf, horseback riding, and motor sports.
As for gyms, under Level B, all operations are suspended.
Regarding the holding of competitions, only the following are permitted: The First National Soccer Division (Super League) and the A1 National Basketball Division (Basket League), as well as European competitions (Champions League & Europa League) in accordance with its specific protocols FIFA and of FIBA.
Archaeological sites and museums
For those archaeological sites and the open-air museums Both Level A (yellow) and Level B (red) require a distance of 1.5 meters between individuals.
For closed museums, the following measures apply at Level A (yellow): A 2-meter distance between individuals and a limit of 1 person per 15 square meters, while guided group tours are permitted for up to 10 people.
At Level B (red), the operation of closed museums is suspended.
Courts
At Level A (yellow), up to 30 people are allowed in the courtroom, and in consultation with court administrations, measures will be implemented to prevent crowding in the court clerks’ offices.
At Level B (red), the specific protocols for operations and the conduct of trials, as described in detail in the Joint Ministerial Decision expected to be issued, shall apply.
Trade fairs and Sunday markets
At Level A (yellow), vendors are expected to follow the 50% guidelines, and there must be a 5-meter distance between stalls.
At Level B (red), all of their operations are suspended.
Focus
At Level A (yellow), masks are required for staff and the public while waiting, a limit of 6 people per table, and occupancy of up to 50% of the licensed capacity. Additionally, the spacing between tables is defined by the relevant Joint Ministerial Decision. Level A will also be subject to restricted operating hours; that is, restaurants and bars will remain closed from 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with the exception of takeout and delivery, while there is a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol during these hours and a ban on all types of live music.
At Level B (red), the following is anticipated: complete suspension of operations, with the exception of takeout and delivery.
Food stores (supermarkets, mini-markets, bakeries, butcher shops, fishmongers)
The following provisions apply at both levels:
– 1 person per 10 square meters (4 people for areas between 20 and 100 square meters, and 1 person for every additional 10 square meters).
– special disinfection in wheeled and non-wheeled carts and baskets.
At Level B (red), these stores are also permitted to operate on weekends.
Entertainment venues (banquet halls, bars)
At Level A (yellow), masks are required for staff and the public while waiting; there is a limit of 6 people per table, and seating is permitted only while seated.
For entertainment venues with a capacity of more than 300 people, the occupancy rate is set at 50% of the venue’s capacity, with a maximum of 300 seated guests, while for venues with a capacity of up to 300 people, occupancy is limited to 50% of total capacity, with a maximum of 150 seated guests. Additionally, a distance of 1.8 meters between tables is required, operating hours are restricted (closed from 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.), and all live music is strictly prohibited.
At Level B (red), their operations are suspended.
Movie Theaters
At Level A (yellow), a 50% occupancy rate is projected, and electronic tickets are required.
At Level B (red), movie screenings are suspended.
Hair Salons and Personal Care Businesses
At both levels, the following are provided for: Measures to limit the number of people inside the store based on floor area, in accordance with relevant legislation and the Joint Ministerial Decision in effect to date, as well as the elimination of waiting lines and operation exclusively by appointment.
Refugee Centre
At Level A (yellow), the movement of guests is limited to 15% per hour, with a maximum of 750 guests per day, based on the commander’s instructions.
Meanwhile, at Level B (red), a curfew is in effect.
Popular markets
For Level A, the following participation is anticipated: 65% for salespeople, with a 3-meter distance between the stalls and the operation of parallel markets.
For Level B, the following is expected to participate: 50% for salespeople, with a 5-meter distance between the stalls and the operation of parallel markets.
Retail
Common rules for Levels A and B: capacity limit based on floor area, 1 person per 10 square meters (4 people for 20–100 square meters, and 1 person for every additional 10 square meters).
Transport
At both levels, public transportation and ferries are expected to reach a capacity of up to 65%. As for taxis, up to 3 passengers are allowed at Level A, while at Level B (red), only one passenger is allowed. Also, at Level B (red), up to 3 people are allowed in private vehicles (with the exception of families).
Hospitals and diagnostic centers
One companion per patient is allowed, and scheduled surgeries are limited to 20% at Level A (yellow) and up to 80% at Level B (red). With the exception, for both levels, of oncology and extremely urgent cases.
Playgrounds (covered)
On Level A, the capacity is set at 1 child per 5 square meters, with a maximum of 50 children; masks are mandatory for children over 4 years of age, and there must be one adult accompanying each child.
In addition, social distancing at the tables and adherence to hygiene rules are required.
At Level B (red), playgrounds are closed.
Rehearsals and TV shoots
Masks are required during rehearsals and for anyone not on set, and a log of people entering and leaving must be kept.
At Level A (yellow), a 1.5-meter distance is also required for actors and a 2-meter distance for choirs and wind instruments during rehearsals, while at Level B (red), the required distance between performers increases to 2 meters.
Gatherings
At Level A (yellow), measures are to be taken to restrict gatherings, depending on the epidemiological situation in neighboring regions and throughout the country.
Therefore, up to 50 people may participate in Level A gatherings, while maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters.
At Level B (red), all public gatherings are to be suspended in accordance with the constitutional provisions for the protection of public health.
Concert venues, theatrical performances, and other performing arts
At the yellow level, a 50% occupancy rate is required, and electronic tickets must be issued. The holding of such events in indoor stadiums and gyms is suspended.
At Level B (red), public attendance is suspended, though performances may be held exclusively for online streaming.
Conferences and Exhibitions
For Level A, the guidelines call for at least one person per 10 square meters, up to a maximum of 100 participants, and a distance of 1.5 meters between participants.
At Level B (red), this activity is suspended.
Schools
Masks are required for children over the age of 4 at both health safety levels (A and B).
Places of Worship
At Level A (yellow), the limit is 1 person per 10 square meters, with a maximum of 50 people, all seated. Meanwhile, at Level B (red), up to 9 people are permitted for all ceremonies and services.
