Covid-19: Arcadia in Strict Lockdown, Nafplio Goes ‘Red’

Greek authorities have tightened lockdown restrictions in the regional unit of Arcadia in the central Peloponnese in an effort to stop the further spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection said on Wednesday that is has placed Arcadia in “dark red” (very high-risk) status on the country’s color-coded risk-assessment map following a rise in Covid-19 cases in the area.

Residents in “dark red” areas are obliged to follow stricter lockdown measures that include an evening/night curfew from 6 pm to 5am. All schools will be closed (students will follow lessons remotely via tele-education) and retail stores and hairdressers will be shut.

The harder lockdown in Arcadia will enter into force at 6am on February 25 and last until March 1.

Nafplio goes ‘red’

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection also announced that Nafplio in Argolida, the Peloponnese ,was being moved to “red” (high-risk) status on the country’s color-coded risk-assessment map due to a rise in infections.

Restrictions in “red” areas include an evening/night curfew from 6 pm to 5am, high school students continuing their lessons via tele-education and shopping is only allowed by the “click-away” method (consumers must make their orders online or by phone and can pick up their purchases outside of stores). Customers are allowed to enter some stores (clothing, shoe stores and bookstores) through the “click in shop” method (by appointments). Hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons and vehicle inspection services (KTEO) in “red” areas can service customers only by appointment.

Nafplio will be in ‘red’ status as of 6am on February 25 and until March 1.

Greece’s Covid-19 risk-assessment map. Source: covid19.gov.gr

It is noted that the common measures in force for citizens in areas of all three color-coded levels include: mask wearing is mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, outside movement is allowed only for six specific reasons and by sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033 and movement between Greek prefectures (domestic travel) continues to be banned (except for health and work reasons).

For further information (in Greek) on the coronavirus risk-assessment map and restrictive measures in each area press here.

Greek health authorities on Wednesday announced 1,913 new coronavirus cases and 28 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, the total number of cases in the country has reached 184,686. The Covid-19 death toll in Greece is 6,371.