Government suspends all services at all places of worship until March 30

All services in all places of worship, regardless of religion or dogma, are suspended until March 30, the Greek government announced on Monday evening, as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Churches will remain open only for individual prayer, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said In a tweet on his official account. “Protecting public health requires clear decisions,” he said.

In a separate tweet, Education Minister Niki Kerameus specified that the suspension will apply from March 16-30.

The announcement followed a decision by the Greek Orthodox Church to suspend all daily services and sacraments except funerals. It also said, however, it would continue Sunday prayers. albeit keep them shorter.

After a briefing by infectious disease expert and Health Ministry spokesman Sotiris Tsiodras, the Holy Synod also decided that weddings and baptisms are postponed indefinitely, while funerals will be held in close family circle.