ATHENS — Greece's government announced plans Friday to reopen the Acropolis in Athens and other ancient sites nationwide and provide free weekly rapid tests for COVID-19 for all the country's residents as it prepares to restart the tourism season in mid-May.

The measures were announced despite an ongoing surge in daily infections to 20.9 per 100,000 residents, as a seven-day rolling average, with private hospital space being used by the state-run health service to cope with treatment demand. 

Starting Saturday, a weekend curfew will be relaxed. It will be followed on Monday by a series of other measures including a limited opening of barbershops and hair salons, and ancient sites for people on brief outings. Museums will remain closed.

"What we are talking about are pressure-release valves. This is to help people comply with restrictions that have been in effect for such a long time," said Akis Skertsos, a deputy minister for government coordination.

The reopening of ancient sites was announced despite strong reservations from an association of state employees at ancient sites which warned that "procedures required for secure safety protocols have not been completed" but did not give further details.

Free tests will be made available to all residents of Greece with a social security number before the end of the month, officials said. Medical, nursing, and administrative staff at public hospitals who have not yet been vaccinated will receive mandatory rapid tests twice weekly, according to a Health Ministry order, effective immediately.

The government says that despite the current surge, it expects to open to tourism, a key driver of the economy, in mid-May.

Lockdown measures have been in effect since early November.

The new changes, and the dates of implementation supplied for some, were detailed at the same briefing by Deputy Civil Protection Minister for crisis management:

– Curfew will begin at 21.00, remain the same throughout the week, and end at 00.50 the next morning (as of Saturday, March 20)

– Hair and nail salons will reopen on Monday (March 22)

– Open-air archaeological sites will reopen, with restrictions and a ban on cars and motorcycles

– Public parks will reopen, with restrictions and a ban on cars and motorcycles

– Greek Orthodox cathedrals may reopen with restrictions ahead of Easter on three major religious days this month: March 21, March 25 and March 26

– Amateur fishing is allowed only for residents of coastal areas

In all of the above, mask wearing is obligatory and distances should be kept. For those going to public parks, sites, and fishing, the SMS (text message) code is 6.

Additionally, Hardalias also announced that Myconos and Zakynthos islands, among other areas, will go on a high-alert status as of 06.00 on Saturday, after a rise in coronavirus infections. On the other hand, Samos, Lefkada and Rhodes, which were on high alert, will no longer be so as of Monday but they are not out of danger yet.