ATHENS — A support package for restaurants, cafes and bars will be handed out in May, Secretary General for Trade and Consumer Protection Panagiotis Stampoulidis said on Thursday, speaking to private broadcaster Skai.

He said the package of measures was ready, with some technical issues needing to be resolved in order for the platform to open and disbursement to begin.

"It is an additional support package, it is not the only support package," he said, noting that its aim was to help businesses start up again, alongside the returnable advance process. He added that the food and drinks service sector had received the lion's share of the returnable advances and almost all the other measures that have been implemented.

He also clarified that the reopening of the sector that does not extend to businesses within indoor shopping malls and other enclosed spaces up until May 14, though they will still be able to offer take away and delivery services.