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Greece on Heightened Alert as Covid-19 Cases Rise

Hellenic Parliament Athens

The Hellenic Parliament in Athens. Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

Greece is preparing to take even stricter measures, including mandatory face masks at all times, as the increasing number of Covid-19 cases is causing concern, local media report.

Measures aimed at curbing the fast spread of the deadly virus include extending the midnight-to-7am curfew to all of Greece – currently in effect in certain regions – and the obligatory use of mask everywhere indoors or outside, MEGA channel reported on Thursday.

The country saw its coronavirus cases soar this month with 259 new infections recorded over the last 24 hours on Thursday bringing the total to 9,531: 26 linked to domestic travel, 107 found in the Athens region, 25 in Thessaloniki,  22 on Lesvos, and the origin of eight still being investigated.

Bracing for what seems to be an imminent second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Greek health authorities are more concerned about the number of cases requiring intensive care (ICU) treatment, which will also be the decisive factor for the introduction of tougher restrictions.

Another issue of concern for the country’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) is the growing number of under-investigation cases which have not been traced as well as the rapid spread of the virus in elderly care facilities.

The campaign of the Greek Health Ministry urges people to wear masks and save lives.

EODY in collaboration with the Athens Medical Association and the Attica Region announced that they will increase on-the-spot inspections after a decision by Attica Regional Governor Giorgos Patoulis and EODY President Panagiotis Arkoumaneas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Labor Minister Domna Michailidou is expected to introduce a new series of measures, including stiff fines of up to 5,000 euros for violations at old care homes, set to be announced during Friday’s coronavirus update briefing with Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias.

The education ministry has also not yet finalized when Greek schools will open as health officials wait to see how the pandemic evolves. Education Minister Niki Kerameos has set September 7 as an initial date, noting however that the final date would be announced on September 1 after re-assessment of the situation.

*ATTENTION: All guidelines and information reported have been obtained by the National Public Health Organization (EODY) and official press briefings and are subject to change based on the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, government decisions, and European Union directives.

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About the Author
Chicago-born and raised, Maria Paravantes has over two decades of journalistic experience covering tourism and travel, gastronomy, arts, music and culture, economy and finance, politics, health and social issues for international press and media. She has worked for Reuters, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, Billboard Magazine, Time Out Athens, the Athens News, Odyssey Magazine and SETimes.com, among others. She has also served as Special Advisor to Greece’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the mayor of Athens on international press and media issues. Maria is currently a reporter, content and features writer for GTP Headlines.
  1. Robert Ferguson Reply

    Never mind the cases main thing is deaths the panic caused by this is crazy.

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