THESSALONIKI – Central Macedonia governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas announced that the restrictive measures applied to Thessaloniki's waterfront promenade will be lifted as of Monday at 22:00, following his contact with Deputy Civil Protection and Crisis Management Minister Nikos Hardalias.

Tzitzikostas stated that in consultation with the mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, it was decided that "it is not appropriate to extend the restriction of traffic in what is perhaps the most important open-air space of the city of Thessaloniki," and noted that, from tonight, movement within the 'Nea Paralia' will be free for all, but that the general restrictions on movement will continue to apply until May 4. In this context, he appealed to all citizens to show prudence and responsibility and called on them to adhere to social distancing and self-protection measures.

"We must all avoid the phenomenon of congestion on the Thessaloniki waterfront," he said, noting that this was the only way to avoid the risk of renewed restrictions.

Thessaloniki's waterfront promenade was fenced and cordoned off on March 31 after hundreds of residents flocked there, in violation of the social distancing rules imposed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.