Update – 25/08/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 8,819. Of the 170 new cases reported by the Health Ministry on Monday, just 27 were traced at airports and border crossings. The death toll remained at 242. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 31, with their average age reported as being 66 years old, while 143 patients have exited the intensive care unit.

Amid growing concern about the continuing upward trend in coronavirus infections in Greece, and the additional restrictions it has necessitated in parts of the country, the government has decided to reinstate televised briefings by its chief epidemiologist Sotiris Tsiodras and Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias. Although the briefings will not be daily but twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, they underscore the government’s concern about the rise in Covid-19 cases, particularly in Attica and on several islands.

Meanwhile Education Minister Niki Kerameus outlined yesterday the measures that are to accompany the reopening of Greek schools next month. Classrooms are scheduled to reopen on September 7, but Kerameus said that could be postponed by a week. What is certain is that all schoolchildren and teachers will be obliged to wear a face mask indoors and also in outdoor areas if they are crowded. Fabric masks will be provided free of charge to students, parents and teachers. The number of pupils in each class will be limited to 17. There are also plans for EODY employees to carry out random diagnostic tests on schoolchildren in case there are any asymptomatic carriers.

Regarding the cases reported yesterday:

• 27 were detected during the tests carried out at Greece’s entry points
• 9 are imported cases, which requested testing voluntarily
• 51 cases were detected in Attica region, 15 of which are related to recent travel within the country
• 18 cases were detected in Thessaloniki region, 2 of which are related to known confluence and 3 to recent travel within the country
• 1 case was detected in Dodecanese
• 1 case was detected in Evros
• 1 case was detected in Kerkyra
• 1 case was detected in Ilia
• 1 case was detected in Imathia
• 4 cases were detected in Heraklion
• 1 case was detected in Ioannina
• 2 cases were detected in Kavala
• 2 cases were detected in Karditsa
• 2 cases were detected in Kastoria
• 15 cases were detected in Kozani, 14 of which are related to confirmed cases
• 5 cases were detected in Cyclades
• 1 case was detected in Lasithi
• 3 cases were detected in Lesvos
• 2 cases were detected in Messinia
• 1 case was detected in Magnesia
• 4 cases were detected in Pella, all related to known confluence
• 3 cases were detected in Pieria
• 1 case was detected in Preveza
• 1 case was detected in Rhodope
• 1 case was detected in Serres
• 2 cases were detected in Trikala
• 1 case was detected in Florina
• 3 cases were detected in Chania
• 1 case was detected in Chios
• 5 cases are under investigation

MEASURES/RESTRICTIONS

• Some of the strict measures imposed on Poros to limit the spread of coronavirus cases are being lifted, but the island will remain under close observation by authorities, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias and Secretary General Vassilis Papageorgiou said on Monday. The restrictions were imposed on August 7 after a spike in infections on the Saronic Gulf island. Now, though September 1, these measures will be limited to the shutdown of all bars, clubs and cafes from midnight to 7 a.m. and a cap of 50 on the number of people allowed to gather at public and social events.

• Areas in Greece that are still subject to strict restrictions aimed at curbing a spike in infections include Crete, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Attica, the greater metropolitan areas of Thessaloniki, Larissa, Corfu, Karditsa, Pella, Pieria and Lesvos, and the municipalities of Santorini, Volos, Katerini, Rhodes, Zakynthos and Kos.

TRANSPORT

• In the bid to avoid overcrowding on public transport amid the coronavirus pandemic, the frequency of services on the Athens metro will be increased as of next week, the Athens Urban Rail Transport Company (STASY) said on Monday. More specifically, STASY has informed commuters that during peak hours, from Monday, August 31, to Friday, September 4, services will run on Lines 2 and 3 every five minutes (from six currently). From Monday, September 7 onward, services on Line 1 will be every six minutes, and on Line 2 every 4.5 minutes (as last year), while on Line 3 transit times will be further boosted and set at four minutes (from 4.5 last year). Meanwhile, a legislative act published yesterday stipulates measures to bolster bus services in Athens and Thessaloniki.

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