Update – 17/08/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 7,075. 217 cases were announced over the past 24 hours and 230 on Saturday, marking a continuation of the new upward trend. Of the total number of cases 7,075 cases in Greece, 2,488 were reported since August 1. Also, two new deaths were announced Sunday, raising the total to 228. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 24, while 136 patients have exited the intensive care unit.

Amid an upward trend in coronavirus infections in August, Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias announced on Friday much stricter measures against the spread of the coronavirus as the nation grapples with a disturbing spike in numbers around the country, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appealed to young people to show greater caution following reports of overcrowding at nightclubs and concerts. Mitsotakis urged all citizens to wear masks in all public places and maintain a safe distance from vulnerable or elderly individuals in their household and close environment.

Regarding the cases reported yesterday:

• 15 were detected during the tests carried out at Greece’s entry points
• 3 are imported cases, which requested testing voluntarily
• 73 cases were detected in Attica region, 13 of which are related to travel within the country
• 37 cases were detected in Thessaloniki region, 3 of which are related to known influxes and 8 to travel within the country
• 2 cases were detected in Argolida
• 1 case was detected in Arcadia
• 2 cases were detected in Drama
• 2 cases were detected in Dodecanese
• 11 cases were detected in Evros, which are related to known influxes
• 1 case was detected in Ilia
• 3 cases were detected in Kerkyra
• 1 case was detected in Kilkis
• 1 case was detected in Imathia
• 10 cases were detected in Heraklion
• 1 case was detected in Thesprotia
• 1 case was detected in Ioannina
• 2 cases were detected in Kavala
• 2 cases were detected in Karditsa
• 2 cases were detected in Kastoria
• 2 cases were detected in Corfu
• 1 case was detected in Kilkis
• 2 cases were detected in Kozani
• 5 cases were detected in Cyclades
• 1 case was detected in Lasithi
• 1 case was detected in Lesvos
• 3 cases were detected in Magnesia, 2 of which are related to known influxes
• 1 case was detected in Xanthi
• 2 cases were detected in Pella
• 8 cases were detected in Pieria
• 1 case was detected in Preveza
• 1 case was detected in Rethymno
• 2 cases were detected in Rhodopes
• 1 case was detected in Serres
• 2 cases were detected in Fthiotis
• 1 case was detected in Chalkidiki
• 14 cases were detected in Chania
• 2 cases were detected in Chios
• 1 case was detected in Larissa

MEASURES/RESTRICTIONS

• As announced on Friday by Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias, bars, caterers, restaurants and all other dining establishments where patrons sit down to eat in the entire Attica region, including those on the islands in the Saronic Gulf and Kythira, will be forced to close their doors after midnight. They may open up again after 7 AM the next morning. Other places, such as take-out souvlaki and other take-out restaurants, are free to operate as usual. There is also now mandatory use of facemasks in all migrant and refugee camps and all other social facilities for immigrants.

• On the Greek islands of Paros and Antiparos, magnets for both Greek and foreign vacationers, there will be a 50-person limit imposed on public and private gatherings. That same limit is also imposed everywhere in the country which is considered “epidemiologically burdened,” where the number of infections has increased recently.

• All those, both civil servants and private-sector employees, who are members of at-risk groups, are obligated to work from home (telecommute) at least until August 24, when these measures will be revisited.

• There will be preventive laboratory testing for the coronavirus of all those who return from vacation in the care units of the elderly and those who work in places of entertainment. Hardalias also stated that Greece will now recommendation using facemasks for a week, for all those returning from a trip to any busy, congested area. Additionally, special care should be taken by those who are traveling on ferries or other public transport involving large numbers of people, and after returning home from such travel.

• Greek health experts are considering proposing a mandatory use of face coverings in schools when courses restart this Fall, a member of the committee advising the government on the handling of the coronavirus pandemic said on Friday. As far as universities are concerned, the proposal discussed is for students to return to their cases in cases where physical presence is required, however it is not clear how this would be done.

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