Greeks head to seaside despite virus warnings

Greeks headed to the seaside Saturday, despite authorities urging people to stay home to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

Many people walked and rode bicycles along the coast near Athens, while others sat in close proximity to each other on the beach or played backgammon.

Fewer were in the water as the temperature hovered around 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit).

In a televised address earlier this week, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned Greeks that they would face tougher restrictions if they failed to comply with existing measures designed to keep people at home.

Nearly all commercial businesses have already been shut down, with only a few stores, including supermarkets, petrol stations and pharmacies, allowed to remain open.

Gatherings of 10 or more people outdoors have been banned, and violators face a 1,000 euro (approx. 1,075 US dollars) fine each.

No picnics or group sports are allowed.

Greece on Friday announced 31 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing its total number of confirmed infections to 495 and the death toll to nine.

Worldwide, more than 275,000 people have been infected and more than 11,400 have died.

Over 88,000 have recovered, most of them in China.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.