ATHENS – The reopening of schools at all levels, including primary and pre-school levels, was welcomed by government spokesperson Stelios Petsas during the regular press briefing on Monday, where he stressed the strict observance of health safety rules.

Petsas said that the relevant decision was taken on the basis of the unanimous recommendation of the Committee of Experts, who took the following data into account:

– The course of the epidemic in the country

– Encouraging experience from the opening of high schools and lyceums

– The discovery that it is more difficult for children to get sick

– The fact that long absence from school hinders their learning process, their mental, social and psychological development

– That children are safer when rules are followed, as in schools, than in an environment without rules

– The fact that open schools reduce social inequalities and empower children from more vulnerable family environments

– The fact that students attending special schools have a special need to be in the school environment with their teachers and classmates both for their learning development and for their mental, emotional and social development.

"So we welcome our children to their natural environment, their schools," he said.

"Greece will continue to evaluate the epidemiological data, in collaboration with experts and European and international organisations. And accordingly, it will receive visitors from countries that are improving in their epidemiological curve. At the same time, it will remain vigilant in the event of a deterioration in some of them. In any case, Greece will implement targeted sample tests on our visitors from June 15 and is already strengthening the health infrastructure, with special emphasis on our islands. Our goal is maximum safety for residents and visitors," the spokesperson said.

Regarding the European Commission's proposal for the Recovery Fund, Petsas said: "This is a bold and courageous proposal that sets the bar high. Now – as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed – it is up to the European Council to rise to the occasion."

He added: "However, it is certain that, in any case, Greece is one of the countries that will benefit most, as the Commission's proposals meet the four conditions set by the government."