ATHENS – The effectiveness of measures related to the Covid-19 pandemic at this phase will depend on details, Civil Protection Deputy Minister for Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said on Wednesday, stressing the collective effort of keeping health measures now that public movement is less restricted.

"Every time that official directives are being circumvented, the next stage of lifting restriction becomes more remote," Hardalias said, announcing at the same time that local restrictions were imposed on the suburb of Agia Paraskevi for these reasons, and the popular central square on Agiou Ioannou street in particular.

In Agia Paraskevi, residents ignored police directions to stop crowding at the square, he said, and on Tuesday police were pelted with rocks. The minister said that "a strong police force" has been stationed at the square as of Wednesday, and a curfew imposed in its use from 21:00 to 06:00 daily until further notice. He said the majority of people observe social distancing directions but "a few dozen don't understand the seriousness of the issue."

He also called on owners of take-out places to follow precautions and respect public health and their fellow professionals.