Update – 09/11/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities on Sunday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 56.698. 35 new deaths were reported raising the total number to 784. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 228. 1,914 new cases were announced yesterday in Greece, maintaining the daily number close to 2,000. 396 of the new cases were found in the Attica region and 483 of the new cases in the Thessaloniki region.

A new record of 35 deaths from coronavirus was announced yesterday. Researchers at the chemistry department of the University of Athens said Saturday that an analysis of waste at the Athens region’s main waste treatment plant has led them to estimate that 1.5 to 2 percent of the capital region’s population of 4.2 million are active coronavirus carriers, which would mean 63,000 to 84,000 individuals. Authorities said Sunday that of the country’s 1,063 intensive care units, 734 are occupied, 259 with coronavirus patients. The rapid filling of such places was one of the reasons the country was placed on lockdown Saturday.

The next 10 days are seen as a critical litmus test of the country’s National Health System (ESY). According to government estimates, the restrictions that went into effect on Saturday will indeed lead to a decline in coronavirus transmission, which shot up drastically in the last week. However, the lifting of the lockdown, even in the good scenario, will not be total on the December 1 deadline. Life will return to normal in stages, with schools opening fully first, then retail shops and then restaurants, cafes, and bars. The government’s assessment is that, despite the rapid increase in new cases and intubated patients, the health system will win its race against time, provided the necessary resilience is shown in the next few months, by which time a coronavirus vaccine may be available.

Authorities have set a maximum 65 percent capacity on public transport over the three-week lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, while taxis are only allowed to carry one passenger. Exceeding the single passenger limit is allowed only if the vehicle is carrying underage children, whose stay at home is impossible under adult supervision, or a person who needs help from a caretaker. Meanwhile, private motorists are not required to wear a face mask when traveling with a member of their household. Violations carry a 150 euro fine. Driving lessons and tests have been suspended during the lockdown, which went into effect Saturday.

Huge traffic jams were the norm in Attica Friday as people opted for last-minute shopping before the lockdown went into effect on Saturday. Traffic at the capital’s exit points was particularly high. Thousands of Athenians left the Greek capital just before the second lockdown kicked off and kept moving to the countryside also on Saturday. The majority left by land towards the North and the South, while some travelled to the islands for a short weekend escape. According to traffic police, from 6 am to 5 pm Friday, a total of 43,996 vehicles left through the Athens-Corinth and the Athens-Lamia national highway toll stations. Of these, 22,780 cars headed south in the direction of Corinth and 21,216 north towards Lamia.

Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued instructions for passengers and airlines for domestic and international flights during the period the country is in lockdown. The new airline instructions, for domestic and international flights, which will be valid until Monday, November 30, 2020 aim to protect passengers and citizens from COVID-19 disease, the CAA said in a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, 2020. The CAA instructions allow domestic flights for essential reasons only, while all passengers arriving to Greece from abroad will have to show a negative Covid-19 test, while special requirements are for passengers leaving the country.

Three different sets of working hours are to be introduced in the public sector during the lockdown, according to the Interior Ministry. Teleworking will be enforced to the greatest extent possible and in such a way as to ensure the continuation of the operation of public services. More specifically, as of Monday, there will be three different shifts for employees, namely 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the same time, the possibility of special purpose leave is being reintroduced for vulnerable groups, but also for those who have children in high school. According to the Interior Ministry, office work will be conducted with the observance of at least 1.5 meters between employees and the continuous use of masks in all areas. Services for members of the public will be available by appointment only.

Just a few hours after the Prime Minister announced a 3-week lockdown, the Health Minister rushed to announce the hiring of 300 doctors for Covid-19 ICUs and the requisition of ICU beds in private clinics and hospitals. A literally last minute move as ICU beds in Attica are occupied at 66% and in Thessaloniki at 78%  At the same time, the country counts some 3,000 Covid-19 cases per day, two-digit deaths per day, while the number of intubated Covid-19 patients has reached 189. The amendment submitted by Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias to the Parliament late on Thursday reportedly foresees the hiring of 300 doctors at ICUs, the increase of intensive care beds and the possibility of the requisition of ICU beds in private clinics, including the requisition of the entire clinics.

Some 750 people have tested positive to Covid-19 and one person has died among the nearly 75,000 asylum applicants in Greece, the Migration & Asylum Ministry reported on Thursday.

The ministry pointed out that the National Public Health Organization’s (EODY) staff have long been active at these facilities, offering medical and psychological treatment alongside doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and cultural mediators.

A mobile laboratory by the German medical institute ‘Bernhard Nocht’ has also been installed at the newly set up Kara Tepe refugee camp at Lesvos, with the financial support of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe.

The Athens municipal authority has launched a daily mass disinfection program in public spaces in the city centre and its neighbourhoods. The cleaning and disinfection operation targets busy public areas like squares, sidewalks, metro and ISAP train stations, police stations and churches, as well as areas around hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, bakeries, etc. According to an announcement by the municipality, about 200 employees with the assistance of 80 vehicles are “working feverishly, day and night, actively participating in the effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic and protect public health as much as possible.” 

Regarding yesterday’s 1,914 cases:

39 were detected during the tests carried out at Greece’s entry points

3 cases took the test voluntarily

396 cases were detected in the regional unit of Attica

483 cases were detected in the regional unit of Thessaloniki

7 cases were detected in the regional unit of Aitoloakarnania

8 cases were detected in the regional unit of Argolida

3 cases were detected in the regional unit of Arta

18 cases were detected in the regional unit of Achaia

1 case was detected in the regional unit of Voiotia

2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Grevena

31 cases were detected in the regional unit of Drama

42 cases were detected in the regional unit of Evros

2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Evoia

2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Evritania

2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Ilia

12 cases were detected in the regional unit of Imathia

14 cases were detected in the regional unit of Iraklio

2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Thesprotia

1 case was detected in the regional unit of Thira

22 cases were detected in the regional unit of Ioannina

41 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kavala

17 cases were detected in the regional unit of Karditsa

8 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kastoria

3 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kerkyra

1 case was detected in the regional unit of Kefalonia

106 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kilkis

17 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kozani

4 cases were detected in the regional unit of Korinthos

68 cases were detected in the regional unit of Larissa

7 cases were detected in the regional unit of Lasithi

16 cases were detected in the regional unit of Lesvos

3 cases were detected in the regional unit of Lefkada

59 cases were detected in the regional unit of Magnisia

6 cases were detected in the regional unit of Messinia

12 cases were detected in the regional unit of Xanthi

1 case was detected in the regional untit of Paros

125 cases were detected in the regional unit of Pellas

65 cases were detected in the regional unit of Pieria

6 cases were detected in the regional unit of Preveza

1 case was detected in the regional unit of Rethimno

24 cases were detected in the regional unit of Rodopi

11 cases were detected in the regional unit of Rodos

86 cases were detected in the regional unit of Serres

2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Tinos

18 cases were detected in the regional unit of Trikala

5 cases were detected in the regional unit of Fthiotida

10 cases were detected in the regional unit of Florina

1 case was detected in the regional unit of Fokida

53 cases were detected in the regional unit of Chalkidiki

15 cases were detected in the regional unit of Chania

3 cases were detected in the regional unit of Chios

30 cases remain under investigation

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