Update – 17/02/2022
February 17, 2022
As of the latest update by the Greek authorities, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece 2,235,920. 82 new deaths were reported raising the total number to 25,001. The number of patients treated in intensive care units is currently 485. 19,509 new cases were announced yesterday in Greece. 5,918 of the new cases were found in the Attica region and 2,140 new cases in the Thessaloniki region.
The expert committee advising the government on the handling of the pandemic has agreed to ease several ongoing measures after convening Wednesday.
It agreed to increase capacity at sporting events to 50%, to allow standing customers who are fully vaccinated at entertainment venues, and for school trips to start as of March 1.
However, the committee was not in favor of allowing the organization of large events celebrating Carnival to proceed.
However, they reportedly discussed allowing indoor carnival events with the mandatory display of vaccine certificates.
Experts are concerned that parades could become super-spreader events, which, combined with the increased travel recorded during the days of Carnival, could quickly disrupt ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic.
With European member-states seeking to relax coronavirus measures by March, more freedoms for those who are fully vaccinated are set to be discussed on Wednesday by Health Minister Thanos Plevris and the committee of experts advising the government.
They will discuss a further relaxation of restrictions in catering and entertainment, an increase in capacities at sports facilities, conferences and on school trips, depending on the course of epidemiological indicators.
The experts will reportedly consider allowing standing customers in closed entertainment venues which they can access with the presentation of a vaccination certificate.
With regard to the Carnival, the committee of experts are reportedly opposed to parades as they are considered events of high transmission. However, they are expected to discuss the possibility of festive events involving dancing being held indoors only for the vaccinated.
Six priests have been placed on forced administrative leave on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos for refusing to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Wednesday’s decision was taken by Metropolitan Bishop Iakovos, who ruled that they will be stripped of their ecclesiastical status and responsibilities until they agree to get vaccinated, in accordance with health safety mandates. The six clerics will, however, continue to get paid.
It comes after the bishop convened a meeting last Saturday with unvaccinated members of the island’s clergy, where they were briefed by medical experts on the need to protect themselves and others from the virus.
According to sources, there are around 30 clerics on the island who refuse to be vaccinated either because of health concerns or because it goes against their personal beliefs.
In more detail, the 19,509 new cases detected per Regional Unit: