ATHENS — While a fuller picture for the entire week will emerge on Friday, signs of a small de-escalation trend in the pandemic are currently visible, Development and Investment Minister Adonis Georgiadis said in an interview with the public broadcaster ERT on Wednesday. If this continues, then in combination with self tests it will be possible to allow a greater easing of restrictions on retail commerce, he said.

"Until now, the opening of market does not appear to have had an effect on the situation with respect to the pandemic. Until now, which is the 10th day. This could, however, have changed by the 14th day," he added.

He said that the government's first priority is the normalisation of the market and he described the self tests as a 'super weapon' that has brought optimism to society. Estimating that the peak of the pandemic was now "behind us," the minister said it was still too early to discuss an easing of restrictions on movement over Easter.