THESSALONIKI — The mayor of Thessaloniki Constantinos Zervas said that stricter measures against the spread of coronavirus will be needed in Thessaloniki, including a ban on circulation from 20:00 or 21:00 and prohibition of leaving the region, in an interview to SKAI TV on Monday.

"We are at war and we must see how we will face the enemy," said the mayor of Thessaloniki, adding that the "imposed measures need time to bear fruit, however due to the huge number of infections we should impose stricter measures", Zervas said.

He said he has already recommended an early curfew from 20:00 or 21:00 in the evening, as well as the prohibition of movements inside and outside the region. "It is not a total lockdown. Retail stores will be open and the services will be open without the need to send an SMS to leave home.

Zervas also estimated that "we will not avoid a total lockdown", adding that the aim now was to avert the closing of Nea Paralia.