ATHENS – "We will not have a lockdown again in the future, as we are well prepared and doing well," Development and Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis said in an interview with SΚΑI TV on Monday.

What happened on the beaches at the weekend was the best advertisement for Greece, the minister noted, because the country showed that its beaches were opening but also following certain rules.

"The foreign media saw the opening of the beaches and it was covered by all the international media," he said.

Regarding the restaurants that are due to open next Monday, May 25, the minister said that the plan prepared by the development ministry envisages special measures for the businesses that have been affected.

In particular, there are special rules for the indoor venues that are shut in and have no windows to create ventilation so they can use their interior.

According to the measures taken, restaurants have the ability to operate at up to 80 pct of their previous capacity, while in many cases the concession of extra public road space to set out tables will increase their capacity to as much as 110-160 pct of its previous level.

The current 40 pct reduction of rent will not continue, however, except for those businesses that remain closed by order of the state, the minister said.