Greek authorities have reopened bars and restaurants which were closed in November of 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Greece allowed restaurants and bars to open from Monday (May 3) as the government took further steps towards easing lockdown measures ahead of the start of the tourist season.

Businesses are allowed to seat up to six customers outdoors with distanced tables.

"Like old times again" as Greece re-opens bars and restaurants after six months. Greece, at long last, reopened its famed restaurants, tavernas and cafes, after a lockdown that was imposed in November of 2020. Poised to fling open its borders to international tourists as of May 15, the country is gradually reopening many of its services and businesses prior to that time in a “soft opening” to work out any glitches that might occur. Greece allowed restaurants and bars to open from Monday, May 3 as it took a further step towards easing coronavirus restrictions ahead of the planned start of the tourist season on May 15. Six months after the government reimposed lockdown measures in the face of a second wave of the pandemic, the chance to return to bars and tavernas was like a small step towards normality for many enjoying warm spring weather. Businesses are only allowed to serve customers in the open, with distanced tables and up to six patrons per table to limit the number of close contacts. Self-testing for Covid-19 is compulsory for workers — who also have to wear a mask. Businesses are not allowed to play music — to prevent people from having to speak loudly, which increases the amount of droplets they emit — and must close by 10:45 p.m.

Greece got through the first wave of the pandemic in better shape than many other European countries but its health services were put under severe strain in recent months by a surge in infections in areas, including the capital Athens and the second-largest city Thessaloniki. As cheap self-testing and vaccinations gathered pace, the government has started easing restrictions and hopes to avoid another lost summer for the tourist sector, which accounts for a fifth of the country's economic output and one in five jobs.

"Restaurants have reopened and we have all of our tables reserved, from day one. People are tired of the lockdown and the weather is hot and sunny, there is an immediate response from outgoers. The safety measures are observed so I do not see the reason why tourism should not flourish and the people who have suffered all this time should go out and enjoy the summer."
says food business owner Kleio Andreanidou (timestamp 00:25)

"In order to reopen we test all employees every day, and we were all negative for COVID-19. If there was someone found positive, he would not come to work." says restaurant manager Mr Michalis (timestamp 01:04)

"While we were in quarantine, neither hours nor days spend easily. I believe now that the bars have opened there will be a lot of people to go out and have a drink or two. In addition, there will be jobs to work on and we are back in our real-life" says a Mary (timestamp 01:21)

"Thank God the weather is nice and we can go out and drink coffee while sitting in a shop at last. I went out very often anyway before quarantine whenever so it was something I missed so much" says Konstantinos (timestamp 01:45)