On Thursday as Greece entered the fourth day of a full lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) announced that officers recorded 1,155 violations of the country’s ban on unnecessary movement, the day before on March 25.
They also arrested six people for opening their businesses in contravention of new government restrictions.
The majority of the violations occurred in Attica (333), followed by Thessaloniki (124), the Ionian Islands (106), Crete (97) and the Peloponnese (76).
Violators of the ban were given a fine of 150 euros.
Of the arrests, two were in the South Aegean, one in Attica, one in Central Macedonia, one in Epirus and one in the Ionian.
Meanwhile, the Digital Governance Ministry revealed that citizens sent a total of 4.4 million text messages to secure approval to leave their homes in the first three days of the lockdown.
People who want to leave their homes during the lockdown for one of the six reasons (listed below), must send an SMS to 13033 (free of charge), with their reason, name and home address. They must receive a reply before venturing out with their mobile phone and ID, otherwise they risk a 150-euro fine.
The reasons include:
- pharmacy, doctor
- basic needs or supermarket that doesn’t deliver
- bank if e-banking not possible
- helping people in need
- funeral, baptism, wedding, or divorced parents’ visitation rights
- outdoor exercise or pet walking