ATHENS, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Greece celebrated International Museum Day on Monday digitally with the country's museums still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more than 200 archaeological sites reopened for the first time after two months, as the country continues on the path to the "new normality."

Greece was in full lockdown from March 23 until May 4, but in the past two weeks has gradually started easing restrictive measures.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou visited the Athens Acropolis on the day.

"The marbles were shining in the sun, as in the verse of George Seferis. With care for our unique cultural monuments, with love and recognition of their eternal value - and the strict, of course, observance of health measures - we will all rise together a little higher," she told Xinhua and other media, pointing to a poem by one of the most important Greek poets of the 20th century and Nobel laureate.

"Just a little more and we shall see the almond trees in blossom, the marbles shining in the sun, the sea, the curling waves. Just a little more, let us rise just a little higher," Seferis had written.

The archaeological sites are the first category of cultural sites to return to normal operation in Greece. On June 1 open-air cinemas will open, followed by museums on June 15 and art events a month later, as Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has announced.

They will all operate with all the necessary safety measures. On the Acropolis hill on Monday, the staff had face masks on, visitors were strongly advised to use also, along with antiseptics, and social distancing rules were applied.

"Now we must all combine our visit, the joy offered by the monuments, archaeological sites, and our museums in a while, with the safety measures. Greek and foreign visitors should feel absolutely safe inside archaeological sites," Mendoni, who accompanied Sakellaropoulou, said.

Ian Coe, a British living in Greece, was among the few visitors of the Sacred hill.

"It has been fantastic, absolutely beautiful. (I was) very fortunate to be here today with a few people as it is reopened. It is a strange experience for everybody. We have to be careful, we have to wash, use the mask, take precaution, look after each other, but in Greece, you have done a very good job dealing with the problem," he said.

In addition to archaeological sites all middle and high schools nationwide, as well as shopping malls reopened Monday, under restrictions.

Greek authorities have given the green light for the reopening since May 4 of most of the businesses which had closed during the lockdown.

Restaurants, cafes, and bars will return to business on May 25 and hotels on June 1.

On Monday, Greece's Health Ministry announced two new confirmed COVID-19 cases and two more deaths within the past 24 hours.

The total of confirmed infections across Greece now stands at 2,836, with 165 deaths, according to an e-mailed ministry press statement. Enditem

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