Obligatory wearing of face masks in indoor public areas scrapped in Greece as of June 1

The obligatory wearing of face masks in indoor public areas will be scrapped in Greece, as of June 1, 2022, the relevant health minister announced on Wednesday, a decision that coincides with the all-important summer holiday season.

Wearing of face masks will be voluntary for indoor areas, such as in shops, and long-haul transportation.

The decision comes after a recommendation by a “blue chip” committee of epidemiologists and public health experts in the country. No recommendation was made for schools, however, or passenger ferries, with decisions bumped back for the next session of the committee.

The obligatory wearing of face masks remains in hospitals and other health-related facilities, such as elderly homes, as well as urban mass transit systems.