A teleconference was held on Tuesday chaired by Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni with the “Committee for the Management of Emergency Public Health Events caused by Infectious Diseases”, coordinated by Secretary General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health Panagiotis Prezerakos. The topic of the meeting was: “Measures for the Protection of Public Health when lifting the lockdown of archaeological sites-museums-festivals-cultural events, etc.”.

Ms. Mendoni asked specific questions about the protection measures and safety standards that should be observed for the protection of employees, visitors and the public in cultural infrastructures and events. She made special reference to the organization of festivals, performances, film productions and rehearsals required of various artistic forms (theater, dance, music, etc.). The answer of the experts is expected after studying the data in the next few days. Then the specific measures will be announced.

According to the proposal of Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, outdoor and open archaeological sites will restart with a summer schedule on May 18, as the first step for the reopening of cultural infrastructures.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports has already prepared a plan for the safe operation of cultural infrastructures, always in accordance with the instructions of specialist scientists. Rules will be set up for proper distances to be kept between visitors, depending on each particular site. Rules will also be set up for the way of buying tickets, accessing and entering the sites, but also for the use of refreshment areas and museum shops. Major archaeological sites will operate with special safety protocols, already being prepared, adapted for the specifics of each area..

It should be noted, however, that like all plans, this one is under constant re-evaluation and updating. It goes without saying that the observance of suggestions by and instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY)  should be absolute.