Greeks are preparing to celebrate a second Christmas under pandemic restrictions as the rate of death attributed to COVID-19 nears record levels.

Stores will remain open and public events are planned over the holidays, but access to many indoor venues will be off-limits to the unvaccinated, as the government maintains pressure on vaccination skeptics.

Simultaneous events have been planned in Athens and other cities to try and avoid large crowds.

Roughly one-in-four Greek adults remain unvaccinated and a surge in infections that started in October has put pressure on the public health service.

Starting on Sunday, travellers – including the fully vaccinated – will have to display a negative PCR test to be allowed into the country.

Greece has rebounded from a 9% recession in 2020, thanks largely to a better than expected tourism season, but many catering and retail businesses have not recovered from the impact of lengthy lockdowns and are pinning their hopes of survival on Christmas sales.

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