Greek bars and clubs face new Covid-19 curbs as summer starts

Published
0

Greek bar and nightclub owners fear new restrictions allowing only seated customers will hit business during the vital summer season but say that they accept the rules are needed to contain a surge in Covid-19 infections.

Reuters reports that authorities reimposed curbs on restaurants, nightclubs and bars this week, with effect from July 8. No standing customers will be allowed.

"It is a step back, it will surely influence tourism, but it is deemed necessary so we do not lose the rest of the summer. We will be patient," said Ilias Babatsikos, 27, a beach bar manager at Athens' coastal suburb of Alimos.

"It's a very unfortunate development but we understand why it's happening," said businessman Kosmas Theodoridis, 48, a customer at a bar in Athens. "The essential thing is for everyone to get vaccinated."

People sit at a bar in Athens, Greece, July 6. — Reuters
People sit at a bar in Athens, Greece, July 6. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Talks, at last
Updated 03 Oct, 2026

Talks, at last

The government’s constant threats to suspend KP’s elected dispensation over a political protest have escalated hostilities considerably. In that context, both sides did well to start talking.
IWT’s future
Updated 03 Oct, 2026

IWT’s future

TOGETHER with the Kashmir dispute, India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has become the biggest...
Pained minds
03 Oct, 2026

Pained minds

IN Pakistan, mental healthcare is wedged between two extremes — a luxury or a stigma. Estimates cited by the...
Risks ahead
Updated 02 Oct, 2026

Risks ahead

To think that the government would rather push out an elected government than grant a single prisoner some facilities does not square up rationally.
Exit from Iraq
02 Oct, 2026

Exit from Iraq

AMERICAN and British troops have once again shipped out of Iraq. On Wednesday, the foreign forces left the Arab...
Lahore’s ozone warning
02 Oct, 2026

Lahore’s ozone warning

LAHORE has received another warning that its air pollution crisis cannot be treated as a problem that begins with...