Athens (AFP)

The Acropolis of Athens, flagship monument of Antiquity, reopened to the public Monday morning like all archaeological sites in Greece, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, two months after its closure due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus.

Lack of affluence for reopening under high health security, the head of state was to be one of the first visitors to the Parthenon site perched on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, in the presence only of journalists and employees carrying masks, noted an AFP journalist.

"We have never seen so few people at the Acropolis, it's like we had a private visit," a Russian national, who came to the opening of the site with her husband, told AFP. The Russian couple have lived in Athens for five years.

With three other students, Marinela "came to take a photo to post on the website" of her university, after winning a university prize. "I have already visited the Acropolis ten times, so I do not come specifically for the visit," said the student on site.

Also among the first visitors, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, a green surgical mask on the face, was to give a tour to the journalists present.

"The archaeological sites welcome us again from Monday, May 18, the first step in the gradual restart of the country's cultural structures," his ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The museums will not reopen until June 15, according to the government's plan for deconfinement.

Located in the historic center of Athens, the Doric temple of the Parthenon dedicated to the goddess Athena, protector of the eponymous ancient city, dates from the classical period of Greek Antiquity (5th century BC).

With 2.9 million visitors in 2019, up 14.2% compared to the previous year, the Acropolis is the most visited monument in Greece.

It is part of dozens of archaeological treasures of the country including temples, stadiums, theaters or ancient citadels: from the palace of Knossos (Bronze Age) to the Acropolis of Lindos (2nd century BC) on the islands of Crete and Rhodes respectively passing through Olympia, the cradle of the ancient Olympic games.

- Protocols, security -

The objective of this reopening is "to savor in safety the archaeological sites located in the open air", indicated the minister Lina Mendoni, in the ministerial press release.

The Minister stressed that "protocols had been adopted" according to the specifics of each site.

"Separation panels were installed where it was necessary as in the Propylaea", monument at the entrance to the Acropolis site, she said, ensuring that the sites have been disinfected.

The list of measures taken includes maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 meters between visitors.

Wearing a mask is "highly recommended" but it is only mandatory for guides, according to the ministry.

"During these two months of confinement, the ministry had time to improve the operation of the sites" and adopted "a security plan for visitors and employees," added Mendoni in the press release.

The archaeological sites constitute an important income for the coffers of the country, whose economy depends heavily on the tourism industry.

Concerned about the chronic failures of its hospitals and the high rate of aging of its population (2nd in Europe after Italy), Athens reacted quickly to the epidemic by adopting a general confinement on March 23 for six weeks.

Less affected by the Covid-19 compared to its European partners, the country deplores 163 dead to date.

However, the economy risks plunging "into a deep recession", according to the government, barely two years after the country's exit from the debt crisis.

Due to confinement, Greece has lost half the tourist season, like most European countries.

After multiple pressures from professionals, the authorities decided Sunday to advance by one week the opening of taverns, cafes and bars, now scheduled for May 25.

"Greece has gained international reliability after the effective management of the coronavirus crisis" and "it is one of the safest countries", welcomed Lina Mendoni.

"It is a precious asset, it allows a dynamic resumption of the tourist season which will be extended to make up for" the time lost, she estimated.

© 2020 AFP