ATHENS — There will be further announcements later in the week regarding the next steps in lifting the lockdown, including measures for churches, hairdressers and non-essential retail shopping, the government spokesperson said on Monday. Petsas added that the existing regulations for teleworking and individual sports continue to apply, with up to three people training at a time.

He noted that decisions will be based on the way the epidemiological data behaves and that especially with regard to churches during the holidays, the prime minister will contact Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece in the next few days.

"For those returning from abroad, in addition to the well-known procedure with the submission of a Passenger Locator Form, they must also have a negative PCR molecular test taken in the last 72 hours and will be subjected to a rapid test upon entry, and will enter a 10-day precautionary quarantine if they enter the country during the period between Friday, December 18 and Thursday, January 7," Petsas said.

"We have stressed many times that if we relax, we will pay for it. Let us overcome the fatigue and avoid complacency so that, all together, we can finally defeat the coronavirus in the coming months.

Along with this year's different Christmas, comes the hope that science brings to the world, with safe and effective vaccines.

Let us help, through our behavior, reduce the epidemiological burden throughout the country, saving time that will bring us closer to the final way out of this unprecedented health crisis," Petsas said.