ATHENS – Almost wiped out by COVID-19 lockdowns keeping them shuttered more than half a year, indoor restaurants and bars in Greece could open on June 1 although the pandemic isn't over.

That's seen as a lifeline to them after those with outdoor seating were allowed to open as the country is set to welcome tourists on May 15 in a bid to salvage an economy brought down by the Coronavirus and closings of non-essential businesses.

Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis  told SKAI TV, “There are about 17,000 restaurants that do not have outdoor space. Last year they started operating with open windows etc in June… I imagine that we will be able to do the same this year when we have the vaccines. That is, in two to three weeks,” hopefully.

He also said a nighttime curfew will begin at 1 a.m.instead of 11 p.m.as now, which had seen people exempt from fines if returning home from an eatery past that deadline, which is too early for most tourists and residents, especially with summer looming.

He cautioned, however, that the situation could change in mid-stream if the virus resurges because of the easing of a lockdown that essentially doesn't exist anymore, although people are required to wear masks but the requirement for social distancing already mostly abandoned.