Village in Xanthi on lockdown after coronavirus spike

Village in Xanthi on lockdown after coronavirus spike

Village in Xanthi on lockdown after coronavirus spike

Greece’s Civil Protection placed the village of Echinos in the region of Xanthi, northern Greece, on a strict lockdown for a week following 73 new coronavirus cases and four deaths over the last week.

As of 6:00 a.m. Thursday, all shops will be closed except pharmacies and supermarkets, while the use of a face mask will be compulsory in public.

The measures are in effect until 6 a.m. on June 25, when authorities will reassess the situation.

This is the third time the village has been placed under lockdown.

At the time of writing, Greece has recorded 3,227 confirmed coronavirus cases and 188 related deaths.

On Wednesday, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou met with the country’s Health Ministry spokesperson and infectious diseases expert Professor Sotiris Tsiodras in the garden of the Presidential Palace.

Sotiris Tsiodras, who was born in Sydney, has been widely credited with alerting the Greek government about the need for early action and helping to stem the spread of the virus.

Members of Greece's National Public Health Organisation had received an official invitation to visit the Presidential Palace.

Sakellaropoulou praised Tsiodras for his public briefings at the peak of the pandemic, and for his "sweet and direct manner [which] inspired a sense of safety and trust in all of us."

"With the handling that took place, the country managed to gain the trust and international praise. This is a result of all the medical staff. All men and women, especially the National Healthcare Service, who worked tirelessly and with dedication that reached the limits of self-sacrifice."