Thousands of police are deploying ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations this weekend to keep stir-crazy Greeks indoors, in a mobilisation unseen since the 2004 Olympics.

Backed by helicopters and drones, nearly everyone that can be spared on the 52 000-strong Greek police force will be on the streets, with trainees filling the gaps back at stations.

The deployment can only be compared to the security operation mounted for the Athens 2004 Olympics involving 70 000 police and army staff, the officer said.

Easter is Greece’s foremost religious celebration, during which churches record their highest attendances. It is also an opportunity for many to visit rural homes and nearly every town holds communal feasts.

But authorities warn this could prove disastrous in this year’s fight against the virus.