Greece to allow people vaccinated against Covid-19 in restaurants without masks
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Restaurant and cafe owners can decide to accept only fully vaccinated customers using 85 per cent of their space capacity.
PHOTO: AFP
ATHENS (REUTERS) - Greece will allow people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus inside restaurants without masks, the government said on Tuesday (June 29), as part of measures to boost inoculation rates.
The country has been easing restrictions as Covid-19 infections fall, but concerns are rising over the more contagious Delta variant. Face masks have been mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
"The first target is to facilitate the vaccination project. To bring as many people as possible (to vaccination centres)," state minister George Gerapetritis told reporters.
From July 15, vaccinated spectators will be allowed at sports venues for the first time but they will have to wear masks. Masks will still be required in theatres and cinemas.
More than 30.2 per cent of Greece's eligible population have been fully vaccinated and 43.1 per cent have had at least one dose.
The government aims to get to a 70 per cent rate by autumn.
People who are not fully vaccinated can still enter restaurants, theatres and cinemas but will need to show a negative rapid test, authorities said.
Restaurant and cafe owners can decide to accept only fully vaccinated customers using 85 per cent of their space capacity or accept also unvaccinated clients using only 50 per cent of their capacity, Mr Gerapetritis added.
Earlier this week, the government said it would offer young people a 150 euro (S$240) cash card and a free month of phone data to get vaccinated.
