ATHENS — All outdoor gatherings were banned throughout Greece from Sunday 15 November at 06:00 until Wednesday 18 November at 21:00, at Greek police chief Mihalis Karamalakis' order ahead of the Polytechinic uprising anniversary.

The ban also foresees up to 5,000 fines for those that violate it either they are organisers or participants in any, over 4 people, gathering.

Deaths from the coronavirus have topped 1,000 in Greece, and authorities say that over half occurred since Oct. 18.

The Greek government has decided to shut down elementary schools, kindergartens and day care centers for two weeks starting Monday. Children will be schooled at home, as is already happening with high school and university students.

Authorities have stepped up enforcement of a 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. curfew, including by making arrests.

Two foreign exchange students who hosted an after-hours party at their apartment in the northern city of Thessaloniki were arrested Friday and fined 3,000 euros ($3,550) each on the spot. The 24-year-old Palestinian man and 21-year-old woman from France received also suspended prison sentences of 2 years and two months on Saturday.

Their 15 party guests, all university students from western Europe, were fined 300 euros ($355) each but not arrested.