Stricter Covid-19 Restrictions Announced for West Attica

Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias on Thursday announced extra lockdown measures for the prefecture of West Attica, which include a strict curfew, following a sharp spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.

More specifically, the measures concern the three municipalities of Aspropyrgos, Elefsina and Mandra.

The extra measures will be in force from 6m on Friday, December 18, and for a period of seven days.

New measures – West Attica

– Movement has been banned from 6pm until 5am. Employees are excluded from the curfew, providing that they have a signed employer certificate with them. (Movement beyond the curfew will continue to be allowed only for specific reasons and by sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033.)

– All retail stores will remain closed. Included are stores operating with the click-away method, bookstores and hairdressers.

– All religious services are suspended except funerals that will be held under strict restrictions. Access to churches for individual prayer is banned.

– All farmers markets are suspended.

The deputy minister said that mass rapid tests and contact tracing will be carried out, especially in the areas of Nea Zoi, Neoktista, Ano and Kato Fousa, Goritsa and Sofo of the Municipality of Aspropyrgos but also in the wider area of Elefsina and Mandra.

Moreover, health authorities will step up the screening of employees in all companies in the three municipalities, while nursing home staff will undergo molecular testing every five days.

A mass distribution of protective masks will take place in the three municipalities and confirmed Covid-19 cases – that do not require hospitalization – will be quarantined in areas designated by the authorities.

Hardalias highlighted that constant checks will be carried out to be sure all measures are being followed.

“This the only way to prevent the virus from spreading further and to protect our fellow citizens and our cities from the consequences of a further outbreak of the virus… We are making a stronger appeal and request that everyone and especially the residents of these areas, to be especially careful in the coming days and to respectfully observe the measures,” the deputy minister said.

Greece has been in a national lockdown since November 7 and has announced measures through to the first week in January 2021. The government recently announced a limited easing of restrictions for the holidays.

Greek health authorities on Thursday announced 1,155 new coronavirus cases and 78 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, the total number of cases in the country has reached 128,710. The Covid-19 death toll in Greece is 3,948.