by Costis P. Papadiochos
The government’s plan for a return to normality starting on May 10 will be implemented gradually and in phases provided that the coronavirus curve continues to flatten. The lifting of the measures could even be completed by as early as July if things go as planned and there is no resurgence of the virus.
An indication of the path that lies ahead was given by the government’s adviser on the pandemic, infectious diseases expert Sotiris Tsiodras, who last week likened the lifting of the measures to a road filled with turns where the driver needs to alternate between stepping on the gas and the brakes.
Indeed, the model developed by the government in collaboration with experts not only provides that existing restrictions will not be terminated at the same time, but also that their removal will not be “horizontal.” Rather, the return to normalcy will be gradual, and proceed at different rates for different groups, based on criteria such as age or activity.
In particular, the abolition of restrictions on movement, which is expected to be the starting point, will not affect everyone in the initial phase. For instance, there are thoughts of excluding members of vulnerable groups including the elderly from this initial phase and limiting their contact with members of the active population like their children and grandchildren.
Moreover, bans on large social gatherings, including the operation of businesses such as bars and cafes, will remain in place during the early phase. Also, the lifting of restrictions on movement will initially concern urban centers.
Travel restrictions will be lifted after mid-June or early July, so that there will be a gradual return to normal on the tourism front as well.
The same philosophy will govern the reopening of shops, restaurants, bars and other businesses, as there will be a time frame for the lifting of restrictions. Malls, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs, for example, will not open in the initial phase.
In the case of shops, depending on the congestion that is expected or observed, restrictions will be imposed as is the case now with supermarkets, which provide for no more than a certain number of people to be in the store at any given time based on its size.
This article was originally published at ekathimerini.com.
