Those traveling to Greece will need to be tested for COVID-19 on the second and fourth day after their arrival, the Greek government announced on Thursday.

Officials also banned all public festivities and have reintroduced outdoor mask mandates as Greece steps up its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The announcement came just ahead of Christmas and New Year’s with the government anxious to prevent infections. The government also hinted that further restrictions would be introduced early in the new year when the Omicron variant is expected to start spreading more widely.

Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris told reporters that “Omicron is in our country.”

Plevris said that beginning Friday morning, Greeks will be obligated to wear masks in both indoor and outdoor areas. The minister added that a double mask or a KN95 type mask will be required to enter a supermarket or travel on public transport.

In addition, municipalities have been ordered to cancel all public festivities for Christmas and New Year’s.

The measures come into effect at 6:00am local time on Friday, December 24, and will continue until January 2. A new series of measures are expected to be introduced after January 3.

Featured image: Sotiris Dimitropoulos/Eurokinissi