PM Mitsotakis announces obligatory COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers, venue entry

The obligatory COVID-19 vaccination for public and private hospital workers, and an entry ban for unvaccinated people in indoor spaces were two key measures announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at an extraordinary live briefing on Monday evening.

In a pitch to those aged over 60 and to young people to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitsotakis said the measures aimed at preventing any further lockdowns in Greece, especially with the arrival of the Delta variant.

“The country will not shut down because of some people’s attitude,” he asserted.

The four measures he announced are as follows:

– All staff at care facilities for the elderly are obliged to be fully vaccinated. Anyone who does not comply will be placed on work suspension as of August 16.

– All medical and other staff in the public and private health sector are obliged to be vaccinated as of September 1.

– All Armed Forces personnel, whether permanent or those fulfilling their military duty, will be vaccinated on the premises where they serve.

– Indoor venues including theatres, sports arenas, and entertainment venues, will only allow entry to vaccinated people. A digital application that will be set up will provide immediate confirmation of their vaccination.

Mitsotakis called on the public to “rally around a common reality” and to listen to the advice of getting vaccinated, “especially now the economy’s engines are restarting.”

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