ATHENS – When bars and restaurants reopen in Greece with the further lifting of a lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic they will be allowed to add tables to outdoor space.

Strict hygiene protocols in place to prevent a resurgence of the virus and include a prohibition on indoor seating for now as well as more space between tables with a limit on customers and a ban on air conditioning.

A bill before the Athens Municipal Council would also slash fees for catering businesses crushed with the shutdown but also imposes heavy fines for restaurants that violate requirements they keep a pathway on sidewalks for pedestrians and disabled.

Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos said that among the changes will be allowing businesses that have a license to use public areas to double the space for tables and chairs but that the open corridor be at least 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) wide.

The additional space that will be granted to businesses will carry no additional charge while, in cases where it is not possible to expand the space, municipal fees may be slashed by up to 50 percent, said Kathimerini, but violators could lose their licenses.