The European Commission announced an additional set of actions to contain the coronavirus pandemic which has hit the EU in a second wave more severe than the first one.
"Concretely, the measures aim to better understand the virus' spread and the effectiveness of the response, ramp up well-targeted testing, bolster contact tracing, improve preparations for vaccination campaigns, and maintain access to essential supplies such as vaccination equipment, while keeping all goods moving in the single market and facilitating safe travel," the Commission said in a statement.
The European Commission's actions include the following:
- Improving the flow of information to allow informed decision-making
- Establishing more effective and rapid testing
- Making full use of contact tracing and warning apps across borders
- Effective vaccination
- Effective communication to citizens
- Securing essential supplies
- Facilitating safe travel
- Green Lanes extension (allowing road freight to cross borders in less than 15 minutes, to maintain supply of goods)
“The COVID-19 situation is very serious. We must step up our EU response. Today we are launching additional measures in our fight against the virus; from increasing access to fast testing, and preparing vaccination campaigns to facilitating safe travel when necessary. I call on Member States to work closely together. Courageous steps taken now will help save lives and protect livelihoods. No Member State will emerge safely from this pandemic until everyone does," President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said.
Commenting on the pandemic, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides said "rise in COVID-19 infection rates across Europe is very alarming. Decisive immediate action is needed for Europe to protect lives and livelihoods, to alleviate the pressure on healthcare systems, and to control the spread of the virus. Next month, we will present the first step towards a European Health Union. In the meantime, Member States must improve cooperation and data sharing. Our EU surveillance system is only as strong as its weakest link. It is only by showing true European solidarity and working together that we can overcome this crisis. Together we are stronger.”
Latest covid-19 numbers in Greece
Greece recorded 1,547 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest 24-hour reporting period.
This raises the total number of cases to 34,299.
4,003 are considered to be related to travel from abroad and 12,552 are related to an already known case.
One hundred and eight individuals are in ICU. Their median age is 65 years, and 34 of them are women. 93.5% have an underlying condition or are aged 70 years and above.
A total of 280 patients have been discharged from ICUs since the start of the pandemic in Greece.
The country’s pandemic death toll stands at 603. The median age of all was 79 years and 96.2% of the deceased had an underlying condition and/or age of 70 years or more.
Earlier this month, the government launched an interactive COVID-19 map that allows citizens and visitors to quickly find out more about the epidemiological situation across Greece and discover the measures that are in effect. Please click here for the website- covid19.gov.gr.
