The food service and bar industry has seen a 25 percent drop in turnover due to the midnight closing time of all establishments introduced to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. 

The Greek-American connection with restaurants, albeit stereotypically exaggerated, is by now proverbial. Not as well-known is the Greek association with the confectionery industry, which Greek immigrants came to dominate, if not monopolize, for the better part of the 20th century. 

Greek cheeses have been exempted from US tariffs imposed on European Union agricultural products, according to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food on Thursday

Up to one in three restaurants, cafes and bars is facing closure due to the restrictive measures introduced by the government to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Restaurants and cafes in Greece may be instructed to close earlier to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Deputy Development Minister Nikos Papathanasis warned on Monday, amid a steady increase of infections in the country.

The Pizza Hut restaurant chain announced on Thursday it was shutting down its operations in Greece and leaving the country, saying that the chain's activities were no longer sustainable in the wake of the pandemic.

One of the many things the pandemic will affect is the need for food relief – for the worse. Up until now, the food situation has been more or less under control in Greece. 

Cretan musicians entertain passers-by with Cretan songs at the exhibition of traditional products from Crete and some areas of Greece, in Pasalimani in Piraeus on Saturday. [ANA-MPA]

The turnover of food service and accommodation enterprises posted an unprecedented nosedive in April, shrinking by 73.5% and 92% respectively compared to the same month last year, according to Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Monday for the month when Greece was in lockdown from start to finish. 

The food sector showed its strength during the pandemic, with Greek exports gaining ground and creating the necessary conditions for their further penetration of international markets.

The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Foreign Ministry are organizing a webinar for Thursday about the food and drink sector in the United Kingdom, in France, Italy and Portugal. 

A man works outside his cafe in Monastiraki in downtown Athens on Saturday, in preparation for its reopening Monday, as part of the fourth phase of a government plan to loosen restrictions imposed in March to contain the coronavirus pandemic. The reopening of bars and restaurants is to be strictly regulated, with protective face masks being compulsory for staff and a distance of 2 meters maintained between tables. The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) said that food and drinks businesses must be disinfected regularly and that emp loyers must appoint someone to oversee the enforcement of measures. Staff will also work on rotation. [Alexandros Vlahos/ANA-MPA]

Food service businesses may be preparing to reopen next week but they are also protesting against the government measures for them, which they consider to be insufficient as far as safeguarding their sustainability is concerned.

Owners and managers of cafes, bars and restaurants are scrambling to prepare their premises for reopening next Monday following a 10-week closure imposed as part of the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) has issued a guide for owners, employees and patrons on preventing the transmission of the virus. For employers, guidelines include rotating workers and appointing someone to oversee the enforcement of measures including social distancing and hygeine regulations. Employees are to be provided with masks and gloves and premises disinfected regularly. [Yiannis Liakos/Intime News]

Spirit, wine and beer importers Amvyx SA and the Nissos brewery will be hosting an online discussion on Monday about the “day after” in catering, entertainment and hospitality businesses. 

Bars and restaurants will have more outdoor space on sidewalks according to a bill that will be submitted to Parliament on Monday that also slashes municipal fees for catering business but also introduces strict fines.

Restaurateurs in Athens and other Greek cities are on Tuesday evening to join their counterparts across Europe in holding an “empty chairs” protest to draw attention to the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic on their sector.

Restaurants and cafes could open on June 1 if the rate of coronavirus infections continues to remain low, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday, during a cabinet video conference on the steps to lift the measures taken to contain the virus.

The extended opening hours for supermarkets will continue beyond April 25, following a decision by Development and Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis on Thursday.

Supermarkets will be open for six hours on Friday while on Saturday they will remain open until the evening. according to the General Secretariat for Commerce and Consumer Protection.