Lockdown

The small minority of unionists who are attempting to sabotage the opening of Greek schools will not succeed in giving educators a bad name.

Many teachers honored their mission during the lockdown by adapting to distance learning.

They must not be left helpless now to face the forces of inaction.

Businesses across Greece are scrambling for a way to recover after being stuck in a lockdown coma that saw economic and commercial activity grind to a halt for several weeks.

Eight in 10 Greeks surveyed in a new study on the impacts of the coronavirus lockdown said they were concerned about their financial situation, though only three in 10 were worried about being left without a job.

Before the lockdown measures came into force, it would take up to three visits in a week to a Citizens' Service Center (KEP) for the head of a major property group to obtain a document certifying the validity of his signature - one of the dozens of documents even large enterprises have to collect in order to perform a property transaction.

Greeks sent a total of 110 million text messages to the number 13033 to leave the house during the 42 days of full lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Digital Governance Ministry announced on Monday.

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.

Millions of Europeans emerged from lockdown on May 4, with hardest-hit Italy leading the way out of its two-month coronavirus confinement.    

Blue skies greeted Romans as they stepped into a world forever changed by the pandemic that has now infected 3.5 million people.

While millions in Turkey lock themselves in their homes in line with the country's measures to stem the spread of the COVID-19, some people in Turkey are living in parks during the country's full-on lockdowns.

Turkey imposed a three-day curfew in 31 provinces beginning on April 30 midnight until last night in an effort to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Europe on May 3 prepared for a further cautious easing of coronavirus restrictions following signs the pandemic may be slowing, after Spaniards flocked to the streets to jog, cycle and rollerskate for the first time after 48 days of confinement.    

The success of the Greek government's plan to defend citizens against the coronavirus pandemic has so far been based on a rare balance: The government presented a clear plan that citizens could trust and follow.