Music banned in Mykonos restaurants and bars

·

Greece banned music in restaurants and bars and imposed a nighttime curfew on its popular holiday island of Mykonos on Saturday after a rise in new coronavirus infections there.

Known as the party island of the super-rich, Mykonos is one of Greece’s most popular destinations, attracting more than a million visitors each summer, among them Hollywood stars, models and world-famous athletes.

Following a “worrying” local outbreak, the Civil Protection Ministry said it was banning music on the island around the clock, including in shops, cafes and beach bars. It also said it would restrict movement between 1 a.m to 6 a.m except for those going to and from work or to hospital.

Greece depends on tourism for a fifth of its economy and desperately needs a strong season this year following a disastrous 2020 when visitor numbers and revenues collapsed.

People sit at a bar, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece, July 6, 2021. Picture taken July 6, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo/File Photo

The number of infections has been rising in Greece in recent weeks, forcing the government to mandate the vaccination of healthcare workers and nursing home staff, and to introduce new restrictions across the country, including allowing only vaccinated customers indoors at restaurants and clubs.

Mykonos’s Mayor Konstantinos Koukas said imposing measures at the heart of the tourism season was “unfair” and “misguided.”

“Mykonos cannot be the only island where music won’t be heard… the only thing this will achieve is that visitors will go to another island,” he wrote on Facebook.

A view of Little Venice on the island of Mykonos, Greece, August 22, 2020. Nektaria Balomatini/Eurokinissi via REUTERS

The government banned music in restaurants and bars across the country in May to avoid people having to get close to one another to be heard, increasing the chances of transmitting the virus. It lifted that measure when infections dropped.

“We call on the residents, visitors and professionals on our beautiful island to strictly follow the measures… so that we can quickly control and contain the spreading of the virus and Mykonos can return to normality,” the ministry said.

The restrictions on Mykonos will be in place until July 26.

Source: Reuters

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

Australians honour fallen at 84th Battle of Kalamata anniversary in Greece

The 84th annual commemoration of the Battle of Kalamata took place at the memorial near the railway park, drawing a wide range of attendees.

Cyprus Community of NSW’s path out of administration stalls over disputed fees

Future of the Cyprus Community of NSW remains under a cloud, with conflicting statements over a $1.092m sum currently withheld.

Cyprus asks UN to help stem ‘avalanche’ of asylum seekers

Cypriot Interior Minister, Nikos Nouris, said that Cyprus is asking for help from the UN to stem a recent 'avalanche' of asylum-seekers.