Extraordinary traffic steps were announced by Athens police, effectively closing off the city center to cars, that will be in effect 10:00 a.m. Monday to 7:00 a.m. Tuesday due to planned events marking the 2nd anniversary of the shooting death of teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos by a police bullet on December 6, 2008 that sparked unprecedented urban rioting in the country.

Central Athens will be closed to traffic from 10am Monday to 7am Tuesday while stopping and parking cars will be prohibited from 6am Monday to 7am Tuesday, police announced.

The traffic prohibitions affect the entire length of Alexandras Avenue in both directions and its sidestreets, as well as Stadiou, Academias, Vassilissis Olgas, Panepistimiou, Amalias, Filellinon, Sygrou, Patission, Pireos, Vassilissis Sophias, Rigillis, Ypsilantou, Kokkali, Marni, Stournari, Bouboulinas, and 3 Septemvriou streets and their sidestreets.

The restrictions also apply to Omonia, Syntagma, Kotzia and Kannigos Squares and their side-streets.

Drivers are asked to avoid the wider city center.

Public transport routes will also be subject to change in conjunction with the events.