Crowds Flock Beach As Heatwave Hits Greece

Beach-lovers in Greece try to cool their temperature as it approaches 40 degrees Celsius

Greece has reopened organised public beaches under strict physical distancing measures as the country experiences the worst May heatwave in 50 years.

The opening of some 500 organised beaches, where umbrellas and lounge chairs are available for hire, came days after the lifting of the coronavirus-related lockdown on free public beaches.

Temperatures were running 10 degrees Celsius (18 Fahrenheit) above average as at Saturday, with a high of 36C (97F). 

Easing the beaches is also seen as key to salvaging Greece's vital tourism industry over the summer in a country predicted to have the worst recession in the European Union as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government issued strict guidelines for beach operation, with businesses facing fines of up to 20,000 euros ($21,650) and a three-month violations for closure. 

While swimming and the usage of sun loungers were permitted, group sports were forbidden and canteens remained closed.

The number of beachlovers must also be recorded and not exceed 40 people per 1,000 square metres (10,600 sq feet); the distance between sun umbrellas has been set at four metres (13 feet); and each umbrella may have up to two sunbeds, except for families with minors.

Also, the minimum distance between two sunbeds from different beach umbrellas must be 1.5 metres (five feet).