ATHENS – The top priority as Greece eases lockdown restrictions and prepared to receive foreign visitors is to avoid any possibility of a resurgence in coronavirus cases, government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said on Friday on Mega TV.

He underlined that Greece was treating the issue of tourism with seriousness and a plan, and added that the country will be ready to welcome tourists with travel and health protocols in place.

The spokesperson also spoke about the measures to be taken for labour and the economy to support seasonal businesses and referred to the decision to reopen organised beaches this weekend.

"The opening of the beaches was considered necessary to increase the square meters that will be available to those who wish to visit them this weekend. That is why we opened 515 organised beaches," he said.

The government spokesperson said that personnel from the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the police and the municipal police will collaborate with the municipalities and sector business people in order to advise the staff and visitors concerning the safety measures that must be observed, so as to ensure compliance and avoid any setback in the easing of lockdown restrictions.

"Hygiene and protection measures and distances are important. Without them we will have a problem. They will be there to give advice, not to impose fines. But if necessary and if there is a delinquent behavior, it will be checked," Petsas said.

He added that the government will continue to provide general advice throughout the country and intervene locally, as it did with the cluster of cases discovered in Nea Smyrni in Larissa.