ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s government announced Friday to reopen the Acropolis in Athens and other historic sites nationwide and provide free weekly rapid tests for COVID-19 for all the nation’s residents as it prepares to restart the tourism season in mid-May.
The measures were announced despite an ongoing surge in everyday infections to 20.9 per 100,000 residents, as a seven-day rolling average, with private hospital space being used by the state-run health service to cope with treatment demand.
Starting Saturday, a weekend curfew shall be relaxed. It will likely be followed on Monday by a series of other measures including a limited opening of barbershops and hair salons, and ancient sites for individuals on brief outings. Museums will remain closed.
“What we are talking about are pressure-release valves. That is to help individuals comply with restrictions that have been in effect for such a long time,” mentioned Akis Skertsos, a deputy minister for government coordination.
The reopening of ancient sites was announced despite strong reservations from an association of state staff at ancient sites which warned that “procedures required for secure safety protocols haven’t been completed” but didn’t give further details.
Free tests will be made available to all residents of Greece with a social security number before the end of the month, officials mentioned. Medical, nursing and administrative staff at public hospitals who have not yet been vaccinated will receive mandatory rapid tests twice weekly, according to a Health Ministry order, effective immediately.
The government says that despite the current surge, it expects to open to tourism, a key driver of the economy, in mid-May.
Lockdown measures have been in effect since early November.