The process of returning to normality in Greece began on Monday, 4 May, with the easing of shutdown measures that had been in place for 42 days.

The new measures have made mandatory the use of masks by private people when in public transport vehicles or taxis; elevators; hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres.

Masks must also be worn by employees of:  public transport and taxi companies; supermarkets and shops that deal in non-processed foods such as bakeries, patisseries, butcheries, fishmongers, fruit shops, as well as restaurants and cafes.

Also expected to wear masks are the employees of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres; hairdressers and beauty salons.

The General Secretariat of Commerce yesterday issued social distancing instructions that will  be applied at various shopping venues with clearly defined rules that included: the proportion of shop space in square metres(m²) per person at business premises; distances kept between employees; the requirement to keep a list of customer appointments for such businesses as hairdressers and barber shops, beauty salons and KTEO branches (roadworthy test centres); and also the use of personal protection equipment such as masks, regular hand washing and the use of antiseptics.

Under the new rules, Greek authorities will be carrying out from the early hours every day strict and constant inspections of retail shops and companies that opened in the first phase of normalisation.

The new rules for the first phase include speciality shops selling: Computers, regional computer and software units; books; newspapers and stationery; sports equipment; flower retail; vehicle technical inspection services; hairdressers; barber shops and beauty salons, shoe polishing services; and optical products and hearing aids.

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Distancing rules for offices are set at one person per 10m² and a distance of 1.5m still applies.

The number of customers allowed into a shop must be clearly indicated at the shop entrance. The guidelines state: Four people (customers and employees) are allowed in 20 square metres of space a ratio of 20m²:4. In spaces of 20 to 100m², four people are allowed plus one person per 10m²(20:4 +1 per 10m²)

For spaces over 100m² , the rule allow for 12 people plus one person per 15m² (110: 12+1 per 15m²).

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