One more step has been taken in Greece in the return to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wearing a mask in enclosed spaces has been suspended there since Wednesday and at least for the three months of the high summer season, marking the peak of tourist revenue on which the country is very dependent.
Tourism accounts for almost a quarter of gross domestic product.
Except in urban transport (metro, trolley, tramway, bus), retirement homes and hospitals, wearing a mask to protect against illness is no longer compulsory in shops, banks, public services, airports or intercity buses, according to a directive from the Greek health authorities.
At school and university, it remains compulsory for end-of-year exams.
As for boats and taxis, no specific decision has been made.
The Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris, indicated that in planes and intercity buses where the seats are numbered, the wearing of masks is no longer compulsory, suggesting that a similar decision could apply to boats connecting the Mainland Greece and the Islands.
However, the authorities recommend wearing a mask in case of crowds.
5,080 infections for 10.7 million inhabitants on Tuesday
In mid-May, the minister announced the suspension of health restrictions before the opening of the tourist season, under “epidemiological data and expert recommendations”.
The minister had however indicated that the precautions taken to stem the pandemic would be re-examined on September 1, after the summer season.
In recent weeks, the number of deaths and cases of infection by variants of Covid-19 has gradually decreased.
On Tuesday, the country recorded 5,080 infections for 10.7 million inhabitants while the total number of people infected since the appearance of the pandemic at the end of 2019 amounts to 3.45 million.
Greece has so far deplored 29,800 deaths.
More than a dozen deaths are still recorded daily.
The conservative Greek government has imposed strict measures for two years ranging from confinement to quasi-compulsory vaccination of the population to avoid the collapse of traditionally weak hospital services.