ATHENS – The end of the Easter break holiday period will see schools in Greece open again and while the New Democracy government has otherwise eased COVID-19 health measures, they will stay for students.

The Education Ministry said face masks remain mandatory for students, teachers and staff indoors as well as outdoors although most of Greek society has already taken them off, ahead of a June 1 lifting of the requirement.

Social distances of 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) is supposed to take place although it’s essentially impossible in crowded schools, and disinfection practices and maximized ventilation of indoor spaces will be done.

Screening for the Coronavirus will no longer be required for students, vaccinated teachers and staff while unvaccinated teachers and staff will have to conduct weekly rapid testing at their own expense. A negative test result must be provided every Tuesday.

Students and teachers who test positive must remain in isolation for at least 5 days, regardless of vaccination status and if they don’t get better they must stay isolated, no word how that would be enforced.

The schools will have the strictest measures especially compared to those for tourists and with antivaxxers now allowed to mingle with the vaccinated in restaurants, bars and taverns without social distancing.