Greeks rush to hairdressers, florists, beaches, as virus lockdown eases

Greeks were finally allowed to get their hair cut, buy books and flowers and even venture back onto the beaches on Monday as part of a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions imposed six weeks ago to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Police conducted inspections on buses, in metro stations and shops to make sure people were wearing the mandatory protective masks and respecting social distancing rules. Municipal workers sprayed bus stops and other public venues.

"[Relaxing the lockdown] is a positive step, it will give our morale a boost, always of course with masks and safety," said Efi Karanikolaou, a customer at a reopened hair salon.

Greeks no longer need a form stating a valid reason - such as shopping for food or medicine, or taking physical exercise - for permission to leave their homes.

Athens and other cities saw increased traffic flows and...