Stores close, with some exceptions

Greece's efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus will as of Wednesday extend to the shutdown of the majority of retail stores for at least two weeks. At the same time the government is expanding by two hours daily the opening hours of supermarkets, which will also operate on Sunday, so as to reduce congestion.

According to Monday's government announcements, with certain exceptions, all commercial stores will shut down for two weeks from March 18. The measure exempts pharmacies, food stores (from bakeries to butchers and from greengrocers to minimarkets), food service outlets for delivery and takeaway, kiosks, auto repair shops, agricultural supply stores, opticians, cellphone stores and repair shops, and courier services. Banks will also remain open.

Supermarkets will open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (instead of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays) for seven days a week...