Greek Gov’t announces new Covid restrictions for January 3-16

Entertainment venues must close by midnight and half of employees in the public and public sectors will have to work from home, according to new measures announced by the government on Monday to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.

The measures, which will be in force from January 3-16, were announced by Health Minister Thanos Plevris, following the suggestions of the committee of experts.

The measures will make the use of increased protection facemasks (KN95/FFP2) or double masks mandatory in supermarkets, public transport and for catering staff.

Entertainment venues will have to close by 12 midnight. Standing customers will not be allowed and a maximum of six people may share a table. If a venue is found to be violating measures, music performances will be brought to a halt.

In sporting stadiums, admissions will be limited to 10% of the general capacity, with a cap on 1,000-2,000 spectators. Violations will result in events being held behind closed doors.

Visits to retirement homes will be limited to those who have performed a PCR text within the previous 48 hours.

In the workplace, half of the staff will have to telework and staggered shifts will be re-introduced, with the exact percentage will be determined according to the line of work.

In schools, all student trips will be suspended until further notice. An additional meeting will take place in the coming days to deal with the education sector.

Greece registered a record number of 9,284 new coronavirus infections on Monday.

Hospital Doctors Union director Matina Pagoni predicts a gradual increase of cases in the next period due to Omicron.

“I see measures after the New Year,” said the president of EINAP Matina Pagoni, pointing out that the cases will gradually increase as she explained that people will return from holidays and the results will be seen this fortnight.

“We may see a five-digit number of cases”

She even estimated that January and February will be the two months that we will have an increase in cases “, noting that we may see a five-digit number of cases but gradually.

“I consider 15,000 too much,” she added, speaking to the SKAI channel.

Regarding the  Omicron mutation, she said that the data are from Europe and Africa and the patients who are called for hospitals to deal with are “Delta”.

“Anyone who has the flu does not get up to go to work because the symptoms of Omicron are very simple. If we sneeze and are congested we stay at home,” explained Ms Pagoni.