ATHENS – Adding to the plight of musicians, artists and performers in Greece's cultural sector left out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Democracy government as of Sept. 24 suspended all outdoor theatrical shows.

That came a few days after musicians marched, instruments in hand, through the capital in protest over not being able to work and as the government has done little to provide subsidies for them or the arts despite receiving a 72-billion euro ($82.49 billion) Coronavirus aid infusion from the European Union.

Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said during a briefing the government will create a new platform on the gov.gr website where citizens will be informed about the restrictive measures that apply in their region.

“We are in a critical phase, especially in the center of Athens,” he said of additional measures that began Sept. 21 for at least two weeks, requiring the wearing of masks at outdoor public spaces where people gather – but that they can't gather at theatrical events and concerts because there won't be any for some time.