From 06:00 on Thursday morning the measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 will enter into force, as decided at the morning meeting held between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Health Minister Thanos Plevris, Professor Sotiris Tsiodras and top executives of the Ministry of Health and the Greek health service.
At around 16:00 this afternoon, Plevris will make detailed announcements about the new measures.
“The health system is enduring”, according to a government official with a picture of the prime minister’s discussion with the leaders of the campaign to stop the pandemic.
Previously the measures were to come into effect from January 3 until January 16.
According to Plevris yesterday, the use of higher protection masks on transport, in supermarkets, in crowds and by staff at food places are the key parts of the measures to help deal with the super-spreading Omicron variant.
Current restrictions on unvaccinated people’s use of indoor spaces remain in effect (museums, indoor cafes and restaurants, theaters, etc.).
The additional measures Plevris announced yesterday are as follows:
– MASKS:
The government recommends the use of FFP2 or KN95 masks by people working in food places, and by the public using mass transportation, shopping in supermarkets, and wherever there are crowds. Alternatively, they should wear double surgical masks.
– FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT PLACES:
These stores will operate until 12:00 midnight. Music will be allowed for the time being, but if the measure is not observed, music will be banned. All people making use of the venues should be seated; stand-only people are not allowed. Each table must hold a maximum of 6 people, and tables must be at a distance from one another.
– SPORTS ARENAS:
Sports fields and arenas may only operate on 10% of the field’s full audience capacity. The maximum occupancy is 1,000 people per venue. If these measures are not observed, future games will be held without live audiences.
– ELDER CARE FACILITIES, HOSPITALS AND CLINICS:
Checks will be stricter for visitors, and allowed only after a PCR test (48 hrs). Medical sales people are banned.
– REMOTE WORK:
Up to 50% of staff at private and public sectors may work from home during that time, Plevris said, and the rotating schedule should be implemented so staff come to work in stages. This will prevent crowding in mass transportation means as well. Each business will decide on the number of staff to work remotely based on their needs.
READ MORE: Greece donates over 700,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Indonesia.
