Greece extends mask mandate till mid-January

The Greek government is extending a mandate making the wearing of masks in certain settings mandatory.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris on Monday announced that the measure would continue until 16 January, 2022, at least.

The general mask mandate for outdoors and all public areas, first announced last Thursday, was meant to last until 3 January.

Plevris also announced that entertainment venues would have to close by midnight.

Standing customers would not be allowed and only up to six people would be allowed to share a table.

In sporting stadiums, admissions would be limited to 10% of the general capacity, with a cap on 1,000-2,000 spectators.

Violations would result in events being held behind closed doors.

Greece confirmed 9,284 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours.

It is braced for the expected impact of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Its public health service is already under pressure and intensive care space at more than 90% capacity.