Skai

The former bishop of Kalavryta Amvrosios on Thursday threatened to kick Education Minister Niki Kerameus out of the Greek Orthodox Church unless she takes back a statement suggesting that Holy Communion may be dangerous in the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 16,000 asylum applications were processed in Greece in April, four times the usual monthly average, according to Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis, who added that 11,000 applications have been rejected over the past two months, paving the way for returns to Turkey.

The government is seriously considering allowing an increase in the number of domestic flights on May 18 to coincide with the lifting of restrictions on travel throughout mainland Greece. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will on Tuesday announce a plan for the gradual easing of restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus from early May, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Monday.

In comments to Skai television channel, Petsas said the gradual phasing out of the measures would begin in early May and end in late June. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will on Tuesday announce a plan for the gradual easing of restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus from early May, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Monday.

In comments to Skai television channel, Petsas said the gradual phasing out of the measures would begin in early May and end in late June. 

The offices of Kathimerini and Skai TV and radio were hit with two firebombs early Saturday, but damage was minor.

According to police, four people approached the building, threw the two firebombs and fled.

One of the two firebombs exploded in the courtyard and the other hit a first floor balcony, causing minor damage.

Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis told Skai TV on Saturday that the online platform where the self-employed, freelance professionals and small enterprises employing up to five people will be able to apply for the 800-euro handout will be ready to begin operating by Tuesday.

Four more people have died from the coronavirus, raising Greece's total fatalities to 67.

The four victims, three men and a woman, died in Athens (3) and Thessaloniki (1) hospitals, TV station Skai reported.

The possibility of airports being closed as yet another measure to halt the spread of the coronavirus in Greece has not been ruled out by Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis who said on Saturday that it was a measure to be considered at a "later stage."

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras has for the first time spoken specifically of a recession for the Greek economy this year, as on Thursday on Skai TV he estimated a contraction of 1 to 3 percent, without ruling out an even worse scenario if the pandemic lasts beyond June or returns in the fall.