Dep. Development Min Papathanassis: We must learn to live with face masks

We must learn to live with face masks as we learned to live with helmets on motorcycles and seat belts in cars," said Deputy Development and Investment Minister Nikos Papathanassis on Wednesday to ANT1 TV.

He said that the limit of one client per 15 sq. metres in supermarkets will not change but in small shops the limit will be four persons per 20 sq. metres.

"Strict measures for employees and clients will apply with mandatory use of masks in shops and indoor areas, as well as taxis and means of transport, along with gloves and other protection measures for the staff, disinfection of all areas and of objects," he said.

Papathanassis said that detailed instructions will be issued in the following days on the rules that apply in each case and type of shop.

With the opening of businesses and stores next Monday, May 4, "the first step includes 10 pct of the economy" Deputy Development Minister Nikos Papathanasis said in an interview with Thema 104.6 on Wednesday, adding that "the first step is the most difficult step," since it is also the step that will be evaluated by the infectious disease specialists.

"The Civil Protection service and experts will demonstrate an easy way to make cloth masks at home that can be reused," said Papathanassis, adding that "it will be a nose and mouth cover and so we will not need to buy disposable masks."

He also said that "the experience we gained in the first phase" (of self-restraint) was significant in drawing up a plan for the country's overall recovery, adding that "we will have time to monitor and make corrective moves."

In this context, he said: "We have selected some needs that exist in about 10 pct of the companies that were closed and on Monday, May 11, the remaining 25 pct of commercial activity will resume once more."