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Greece Puts Evia and Achaia Under Strict Covid-19 Lockdown

The Halkida bridge that connects Evia with the mainland of Greece.

Stricter lockdown measures will be imposed on the regional units of Achaia in northwestern Peloponnese and the island of Evia in Central Greece as of Saturday, February 13, in efforts of the Greek authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The decision was announced by Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias during Friday’s Covid-19 briefing after a surge in active cases was reported in the areas.

The active cases in Achaia have reached 732 and on Evia 501, with a great number of cases recorded in the Halkida Municipality.

As a result, according to Hardalias, both “red” regional units have reached the level of “very high risk” areas. The deputy minister clarified that the island of Skyros, part of the Evia regional unit, is excluded from the additional restrictions.

Hardalias also said that the municipalities of Agios Nikolaos (Lassithi, Crete), Thira (Santorini) and Mykonos will remain at the level of “very high risk”.

In all of the above areas:
– all schools will remain closed and tele-education will be mandatory for primary and secondary education (excluded are primary schools and kindergartens in Thira and Mykonos)
– the operation of all retail stores, hairdressers and beauty salons is suspended
– movement to and from the five areas is limited and only allowed for work purposes.

An evening/night curfew from 6 pm to 5 am is imposed on all “red” areas in Greece (only on weekends for Attica, Thessaloniki and Halkidiki).

The duration of the stricter lockdown measures for the aforementioned areas was not announced.

More ‘red’ areas

Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.

Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.

Hardalias also announced that the regional unit of Rethymno (Crete) and the municipalities of Kalymnos and Karpathos will enter Level B-red (high-risk areas/strict measures) status of the coronavirus risk-assessment map from February 13 until February 22.

Other areas in Greece in “red” status include the municipalities of Eordaia (Kozani), Thiva and Tanagra (Viotia), Sparti (Lakonia), Zakynthos, Pydna-Kolindros (Pieria, Central Macedonia), Andravida-Kyllini (Ilia, West Greece) and Tempi (Larissa, Thessaly).

Lesvos goes ‘yellow’

In addition, Hardalias said the additional restrictive measures will be lifted from Lesvos, considering that cases have dropped on the island. From Monday, February 15, Lesvos will enter Level A-yellow (monitored areas) on the coronavirus risk-assessment map.

Thessaloniki and Halkidiki

Furthermore, the deputy minister announced a one-week extension (until February 22) of the extra measures imposed on Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, two areas also in ‘red’ status.

It is noted that Greek authorities recently tightened lockdown restrictions in Athens and the surrounding Attica region (including the islands and the region of Trizinia) until the end of the month (February 28).

Greek health authorities on Friday announced 1,410 new coronavirus cases and 21 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, the total number of cases in the country has reached 170,244. The Covid-19 death toll in Greece is 6,077.

For further information (in Greek) on the coronavirus risk-assessment map press here.

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