Greece will impose localised lockdowns on its second-largest city of Thessaloniki and two other regions (Larissa and Rodopi) from Friday, after a spike in coronavirus cases.
“You see what is happening all over the world, especially in Europe," Greece's PM stated during a teleconference with his ministers. “We are facing a second wave, which is more aggressive than the one we faced in March and April.”
It is mandatory to wear face masks in both indoors and outdoor spaces for these three regions (Thessaloniki, Larissa and Rodopi). There is also a 12:30am-5am curfew. However, in contrast to the lockdown that happened earlier this year, shops and schools will remain open.
The PM stressed that the next two weeks would be “crucial” in the campaign against the virus. “I will say again that our goal remains to avoid a universal lockdown, so we will proceed to further strengthen the targeted restrictions.”
Latest covid-19 numbers in Greece
Greece recorded 1,211 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest 24-hour reporting period.
This raises the total number of cases to 35,510.
4,043 are considered to be related to travel from abroad and 12,843 are related to an already known case.
One hundred and fourteen individuals are in ICU. Their median age is 65 years, and 34 of them are women. 91.2% have an underlying condition or are aged 70 years and above.
A total of 284 patients have been discharged from ICUs since the start of the pandemic in Greece.
The country’s pandemic death toll stands at 615. The median age of all was 79 years and 96.3% of the deceased had an underlying condition and/or age of 70 years or more.
"The average age of new infections suggests there is a big correlation with gatherings for entertainment, sport and other activities," Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said.
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.
Meanwhile, yesterday 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)
