ATHENS – The government will be holding successive meetings, discussions and talks over the weekend to finalise a plan for the gradual transition to normality and a progressive lifting of curbs to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Starting with the morning briefing at the Maximos Mansion on Saturday, there will be a first assessment on a government level of the proposals of a special committee for the operational plan on exiting the lockdown, to be followed by other contacts.

According to sources, the government executive team will evaluate the facts and the recommendations of both healthcare experts, as well as those concerning the economy, finalising the parameters for exiting the quarantine that will then by announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a nationwide televised address early next week.

Scientists, government officials and civil defence personnel are all quick to point out, however, that despite the encouraging figures seen in Greece regarding the spread of the virus in the community, people must be armed with patience as the return to “normal” will require slow and careful steps. There is no room for complacency, they warn, as carelessness can easily lead to a resurgence of the epidemic that could quickly get out of hand.