Forms or text message required to leave house after virus lockdown

A stringent ban on circulation with came into effect on Monday morning, as the government toughened measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus in Greece that has killed 17 and infected 624.

Under the new rule, announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday evening, only those going to or from their workplace, shopping for food or medicine, visiting a doctor or pharmacy, taking brief exercise or walking their pet will be allowed to leave their homes.

People returning to their permanent places of residence will also be exempt, as will those who are unable to do banking transactions online or have serious family obligations.

The measures will be in place until April 6. To circulate, citizens must bear a police ID or a passport with them, and a form naming one of the approved reasons to be out.

There are two types of documents for the...