Athens,  Greeks have started a gradual return to normalcy on Monday, with the partial lifting of the restrictive measures imposed on March 23 to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Citizens no longer need to inform authorities about their visit to the pharmacy, the supermarket, or the park by sending a text message when leaving their home. A few stores opened on Monday, and more will follow in the coming weeks. Hotels are due to reopen on June 1, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, officials and experts reiterated that people should continue to observe the prevention rules to "stay safe," which is the new buzzword in the government's public awareness campaign.

"As we will be commuting more from now on, we should continue to comply with the three basic rules we have set: personal hygiene, wearing a mask when required, and keeping distances," said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

"Now that we are restarting the economy again, we would not like to see a new spike in cases," Mitsotakis said during a visit to Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Monday to brief her on developments regarding the management of the COVID-19 crisis.

The meeting, which was broadcast on Greek state television ERT, signalled the start of the transition to the next phase of the battle, he said.

"The impressive maturity displayed by everyone, the compliance with the restrictive measures and healthcare regulations recommended by scientists and imposed by the state, is something that brings us joy and makes us proud. Greece succeeded in becoming a model for the management of the crisis, because human lives were saved," Sakellaropoulou said.

She expressed confidence that people will continue to act responsibly. The Greek people are asked to keep observing social distancing and wear protective masks when using public transport, taxis, elevators, or entering hospitals, pharmacies, and other enclosed spaces, such as stores and offices. Masks are mandatory for employees in most cases.

"We are doing exactly what the government has asked," Bill Kontogeorgakos, a barber in central Athens, told Xinhua on Monday. He welcomed his customers for the first time since March wearing masks and gloves, offering disinfectant as they entered the store and using single-use towels.

The six hairstylists in his store now work in shifts, because there are still restrictions regarding the number of persons that can be inside enclosed spaces simultaneously.

His phone was ringing non-stop on Monday, as did the phones of most of his colleagues across Greece.

"Most people did what they had to do. They were waiting for the sake of all of us. We have started booking appointments once we heard when we were allowed to open again and what measures we should follow. Now, we are booked until May 15," he told Xinhua.

In addition to the hairdressers', beauty salons, bookstores, athletic apparel shops, telecommunications equipment stores and other categories of shops also opened Monday. In the next stage on May 11, high school students in their last year will also return to schools and other students will follow a week later.

Authorities are disinfecting schools to welcome them. "Our goal is to have all schools ready to welcome the students in safety next week," Alexandros Tsiatsiamis, general secretary of the City of Athens, told media on Monday at a high school in central Athens.

The municipality is also providing disinfectants and cleaning supplies to all schools to be used from next week.

"From day one back to school students will be safe. We are returning in safety," Michaela Kyriakopoulou, head of the schools' committee in a city district, added.

The Health ministry has announced six new confirmed COVID-19 infections and two deaths since Sunday, which brings the total to 2,632 cases and 146 fatalities since February 26, when Greece reported its first confirmed case.