Update – 05/06/2020

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 2,952. The number of fatalities rose to 180. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 9.

652 (22.1%) of the total cases reported are related to foreign travel and 1,702 (57.7%) have been traced back to another infected individual.

MEASURES/ RESTRICTIONS

• A refugee camp in Nea Kavala was quarantined by health authorities on Thursday after a pregnant woman tested positive for Covid-19, according to reports in local media. The new infection prompted Peonia mayor to close six schools in the area where refugee children attend classes. The municipality has sent crews to disinfect the buildings on Thursday and Friday. Pupils are expected to return to school on Tuesday.

HEALTH

• The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) is launching on today a new round of testing on the residents of 16 small islands of the Aegean, ahead of the opening to foreign tourists in mid-June.

• EODY medical staff along with volunteer doctors and nurses from nongovernmental organization Axion Hellas, will be ferried to the islands of Koufonisia, Anafi, Schinoussa, Iraklia, Donoussa, Amorgos, Kinaro, Levitha, Patmos, Agathonisi, Arkii, Lipsi, Pserimos, Tilos, Kastelorizo and Halki. The health crews will conduct diagnostic and antibodies test for Covid-19 in vulnerable groups and other residents. The tour will finish on June 12.

• Greek health authorities will run hundreds of molecular tests on residents of the wider area of the regional unit of Xanthi, northeastern Greece, starting on Thursday, as part of a targeted plan to eliminate “continuing infections in the last few days,” General Secretariat for Civil Protection announced on Thursday. The testing program will run until June 6 (Saturday) and will include the villages of Ehinos, Miki, Pahni, Satres, Sminthi, Kedavros, Kimmeria, selero and Evlalo, as well as the town of Xanthi.

TRAVEL/ TRANSPORT

• Greece’s Shipping Ministry announced a new loosening of restrictions in ferry travel on Wednesday, citing the limited infection rates from coronavirus in Greece in combination with the consistent implementation of the health protocols in shipping.

• Based on the new measures, the maximum passenger capacity allowed on ferries increases to 60 percent (from the current 50 %) for ships that don’t have cabins and to 65 percent (from 55 %) for those that do. Authorities are also increasing the number of people per cabin to two, from one, but keep the limit of four people for a family or a disabled person with their companion.

BUSINESS

• The seventh phase of a gradual lifting of restrictions imposed in March aims to allow the resumption of dozens of entertainment and leisure activities. Deputy Minister for Development said that the activities which will be allowed to go back into business between June 6 and July 1 account for around 89,000 jobs or 13% of employees who were placed on furlough during the lockdown.

• These include indoor dining areas at restaurants, fast-food outlets and other eateries, open-air nightclubs, internet cafes and refreshment bars. Museums, historical sites and other tourist attractions are also going to be given the green light in the coming days, as Greece continues to see the number of coronavirus infections remaining at very manageable levels.

• Gyms and other sports/leisure studios will also be opening their doors, along with spas and other wellness centers. The lifting of restrictions also applies to brothels and escort services.

• Camping retreats for children will be back in business on June 29 and events like conferences, commercial expos and concerts will be allowed as of Wednesday, July 1, on the conditions that physical distancing and other health safety measures are strictly applied.

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