Unable to contain the spread of COVID-19, Greece's New Democracy government has imposed tighter restrictions in the areas of Kozani and Ioannina on public gatherings and bar and restaurant hours as in Athens and Thessaloniki.

The measures will be in effect for at least two weeks because of high numbers of Coronavirus infections there, reported Kathimerini, requiring all restaurants, bars and cafes from operating between midnight and 5 a.m.

There was no explanation why people couldn't contract the virus when those places are open although in Athens especially the move to close at midnight was done to keep night clubs and bar goers from drunken gatherings.

The restrictions also apply to parties, church parades and other events that gather large numbers, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias said during a briefing, without explaining how it could be enforced in some instances.

Farmers’ markets will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity by keeping distances of five meters (16.4 feet) between the sellers.

All gatherings, supposedly even privately – will be limited to nine people, a limit of four on the number of people permitted to sit around the same restaurant/bar table (six if they are members of the same household) and the mandatory use of masks in all outdoor and indoor public spaces for all.