Police are stepping up checks for coronavirus security breaches, following scenes in crowded catering establishments over the weekend and dozens of mask violations in cafes and bars across the country.
Inspections will focus on popular nightclubs and other recreational areas in major cities and islands to convey the message that while coronavirus cases may be declining and Covid vaccinations are accelerating, there is no room for complacency.
More than 780 violations and 19 arrests were recorded between Friday and Sunday, according to a report released Monday by the Greek Police (ELAS). This is the first weekend after postponing the start of the curfew from 11:00 pm to 1:30 am, and the second after the opening of restaurants, cafes and bars.
The effect of the shorter curfew appeared to be instantaneous, as crowds of men and women without masks were reported in Plaka, Psiri, Pangrati, Khalandri, Kolonaki and other parts of the city with intense nightlife, as well as in Thessaloniki, Patreia, on several islands, which began to receive tourists on Friday.
Most of the violations, according to ELAS representatives, concerned refusal to wear a mask in public and / or physical distancing. More than 100 businesses have been fined or shut down for violating rules that require them to only serve seated outdoor customers and maintain a safe distance between tables and chairs.
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