Acropolis and other open-air sites in Greece reopen

The ancient Acropolis and other open-air ancient archaeological sites in Greece reopened on Monday, as the country prepares to restart the tourism season in mid-May.

The measures come despite an ongoing surge in daily infections and as other shops and services remain shut.

The reopening was announced despite strong reservations from an association of state employees at the sites which warned "procedures required for secure safety protocols have not been completed" but did not give further details.

Hairdressers and nail salons are also reopening, and amateur fishing, which had been banned, is being allowed for those living in coastal areas, as access to the sea is allowed only on foot or bicycle.

The government says despite the current surge, it expects to open to tourism, a key driver of the economy, in mid-May.

Greece has been experiencing a renewed surge of COVID-19 despite lockdown-related measures being in force since early November, with dozens of daily deaths recorded, as well as increasing numbers of patients in intensive care units.

About 500 people are hospitalised each day across the country with COVID-19, health authorities say, with 200 of them being in the wider Athens region.