ATHENS – Greece’s museums and archaeological sites will also be suspending their operation until March 30 due to a shortage of staff, the culture ministry announced on Friday.

“Given that there are shortages of guards at archaeological sites and museums due to the special circumstances, based on figures sent to the culture ministry this morning, Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni in consultation with the Panhellenic Federation of Culture Ministry Employees has decided to suspend their operation until March 30 for the safety of the staff but also of the museums and monuments,” the announcement said.

It also clarified that the required security personnel will be on hand to guard both museums and archaeological sites and instructions given for the thorough cleaning of facilities used by staff at the ministry, museums and sites.

The ministry had originally intended to continue the operation of museums and sites, based on an announcement on Thursday, though with restrictions on the maximum number of visitors each time.