Announcements on holiday restrictions expected Friday

The Greek government's final decision on the restrictions that will continue to be enforced to contain the coronavirus or lifted over the Christmas and New Year's holidays is expected at the end of the week, spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Tuesday.

Friday's announcement is expected to address questions like whether people will be allowed to travel outside their regional unit, as well as whether retail stores, churches and hair salons will be allowed to open for the holidays.

Speaking on Antenna television, Petsas confirmed that restaurants, cafes and bars will stay shut during the extended lockdown through January 7, though he hinted that rules governing the operation of the retail sector may be relaxed to allow Christmas shopping, saying that citizens will be allowed to shop outside their municipal area on the condition that they send the requisite SMS for...