IOANNINA, Greece — Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias on Monday ordered additional anti-coronavirus safety measures at the regions of Achaia, Peloponnese and the Ioannina municipality in northern Greece, kicking in as of midnight on Tuesday.

Apart from the mandatory use of face masks outdoors and indoors, the measures ban parties, fairs, processions, gatherings of over nine people for any reason – both public and at homes. Restaurants in those areas may only seat a maximum of four people, unless they are first-degree relatives in which case up to six people are allowed.

Open-air markets (laikes agores) will operate at fifty percent capacity, where stalls must be set five meters apart. In addition, the operation of restaurants and entertainment establishments is suspended from midnight to 05:00.

Meanwhile, residents in Achaia prefecture received an SMS alert on their mobile phones on Monday, by the 112 European emergency alert system, urging them to observe a diligent use of face masks and social distancing.