Greeks face lockdown Christmas, but with books and tidy hair

The bulk of Greece's lockdown measures will remain in place over the Christmas period although bookshops and hairdressers can reopen next week and the quarantine on people entering the country will be relaxed, authorities said Friday.

All other retail stores, entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and cafes will remain shut, and night-time curfews won't be lifted even for Christmas or New Year.

Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said that despite five weeks of lockdown measures, coronavirus infections remain high, piling pressure on the country's health system. Intensive care units are at 83% of their capacity nationwide, with the number increasing to 91% in the hard-hit northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest urban center.

Petsas said a curfew currently in place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be reduced by one hour as of Sunday night, when it will...

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