ATHENS — The coronavirus has dealt a double blow to the powerful Greek Orthodox Church, with the disease spreading through its ranks while the clergy fends off criticism that it has been stoking the pandemic.

Greek Orthodox Church faces criticism as virus hits its ranks

The lockdown takes effect at 6:00 a.m. Saturday and runs until November 30. Like a similar lockdown in March, all non-essential retail businesses will be closed and residents will need a permit to go outdoors.

Greece enforces three-week national COVID-19 lockdown

As many as 44 per cent of Greeks said they would not take a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, a poll published on Sunday revealed. According to the study published in To Vima weekly, forty-four per cent of participants said they would not take the COVID-19 vaccine even if it is freely available and duly approved.

44% of people in Greece to skip coronavirus vaccine: Study

Greeks flocked to the seaside on Saturday (May 16) when more than 500 beaches reopened, as the country sought to walk the fine line between protecting people from COVID-19

Greeks return to beaches in heatwave,

Greek authorities announced on Thursday that they will open 515 organised beaches of the country on May 16. The public will be allowed to visit the beaches from 8am onwards but they will be required to follow the new social distancing norms and all the recommendations of the Infectious Diseases Committee of the Health Ministry.

Greece to open 'organised' beaches with strict social distancing norms on May 16

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday restrictions on citizens' movements would be lifted and more shops allowed to reopen from May 4 in a gradual easing of a lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Greece to ease COVID-19 lockdown from May 4 | Coronavirus Pandemic

With just 2,000+ cases and 99 deaths, Greece seems to break the chain of transmission in Europe. Experts are calling the Greek Model a textbook example of crisis management. WION's gets you a report.

Gravitas: Greece is winning the fight against Covid-19 | Wuhan Coronavirus