Update – 11/05/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday evening, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 2,716. There were no deaths from the coronavirus pandemic over the last 24 hours (the death toll is 151). There are still 30 patients intubated in intensive care units, while 87 patients have left the intensive care unit.

High school seniors return to school today to prepare for the country-wide university entrance exams, which will take place sometime in July. However, some students do not plan to go to school unless absolutely necessary and will spend the next few weeks preparing for university entrance exams from home in June.

Many of the retail shops that open today will have late opening hours and all will have to enforce crowd distancing measures.

ΤRANSPORT

• The Ministry of Transport has given the green light for driving tests to resume on June 1, stressing that health safety measures will be applied to protect candidates and examiners from the coronavirus. Candidates sitting written exams will be placed at a safe distance from one another, while there will also be changes to the practical part of the test, including the use of masks, gloves and antiseptics by both the candidate and the instructor.
  
  
• According to the Transport Ministry, bus, trolley bus and metro services will start increasing frequency as of Monday and the schedule will be adapted over the next few weeks according to demand. Plastic dividers will also be installed in buses and trolley buses to protect drivers from possible contagion.

HEALTH

• The Health Ministry has appointed a scientific committee to oversee the acquisition of new intensive care unit beds for the National Health System (ESY), with the aim that Greece reaches the European average of 12 beds per 100,000 citizens.

• Last week, Health Minister said that the ministry’s aim is for ESY to acquire 1,200 new ICU beds. At the moment, the ministry has at its disposal 840 ICU beds in ESY hospitals, 145 in private clinics and 32 in military hospitals.

TOURISM

• Tourists can enter Greece only if they have undergone a test for Covid-19 and tested negative, according to a proposal the government is reportedly examining. With Prime Minister aiming for the tourist season to open formally on July 1, senior government officials are looking to ensure that all measures are in place. The government’s roadmap for tourism is expected to be unveiled in the first fortnight of June.

• More specifically, the plan stipulates that the temperature of tourists will be taken upon their arrival and they must carry a certificate confirming they are healthy. In the event that during the holidays they show symptoms or fall ill, the plan is to move them to quarantined structures and hotels contracted with the health system to exclusively host coronavirus patients.

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