ATHENS — The health ministry's expert committee on the pandemic will convene on Wednesday to discuss a series of issues, government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni said on Tuesday on radio Thema, while adding that the country "can't stay closed forever" and will proceed with a gradual and cautious opening.

"They will discuss the lifting of restrictions on movement between regions, the possibility of reducing hours of curfew, as well as the possibility of extending hours for click inside in stores and how all the above will be done," she said, adding the opening will proceed with great caution, rules and strict supervision and using the additional tool of self tests that have already been integrated into the restart of activities.

On the vaccine rollout, she said that Greece ranked 10th among EU member-states for the numbers of people that have completed the vaccination and was above average for the daily rate of vaccinations per 100 citizens, having reached 100,000 vaccinations per day.

"We have opened the [vaccination appointment] platform for many age groups and today there will be announcements regarding vaccinations on the islands. I believe that we will able to open the platforms for remaining age groups in June," she said.

At the same time, Peloni stressed the need for continued caution and vigilance, while underlining that the vaccine is a shield and a gift "that we should all accept".