Update – 17/07/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 3,939. No new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, leaving total fatalities from Covid-19 in Greece at 193. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 14, while 123 patients have left the intensive care unit. 

13 of the 35 cases reported involved tourists tested upon arrival. The average rate of new cases over the past week was 35 a day compared to 25 the week before, while nationwide Greece had 3.89 infections per million of the population up from 2.36, the Greek government’s Covid-19 Observatory said in its weekly report on Thursday. The rate of coronavirus transmission in Greece stands at 0.4, the agency said.

MEASURES/RESTRICTIONS

• Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias will resume weekly briefings on the development of the Covid-19 pandemic in Greece, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Thursday, as authorities fear that public compliance has waned. The updates will be held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. and will focus solely on operational issues. Infectious diseases expert Sotiris Tsiodras will not participate in the briefing.

• Mr. Petsas also announced that flights from Sweden will be allowed two days sooner than originally announced – as of July 20, instead of the 22nd. He said that Greece presents a better epidemiological picture than most European countries but warned that “our worst enemies” are relaxation of the rules and complacency.

• The health and safety measures Greece has taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) must be followed to the maximum extent, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. During a meeting with ministers in Athens, the Greek PM highlighted that although the country’s framework of health and safety measures is “adequate”, there seem to be “issues” with its implementation. Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined that authorities must ensure that overcrowding is being avoided, especially in indoor areas and mentioned recent incidents that saw bars and nightclubs not following capacity limits per enclosed spaces.

• PM Mitsotakis also called for local authorities to become more involved and ensure that the measures are being enforced in their destinations of responsibility. During the meeting it was decided that checks will be carried out by a body operating under the supervision of the General Secretariat for Trade and Consumer Protection of the Ministry of Development and Investment, based on the epidemiological data provided daily by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.

• The strict safety measures against the spread of Covid-19 on Greek beaches have been extended until July 31, Deputy Minister of Development and Investments Nikos Papathanasis stated earlier on Thursday. The deputy minister stressed the importance of individual responsibility and compliance with the essential measures, adding that inspection teams are on the road every day, constantly checking all sectors of the tourism market. Mr. Papathanasis asked citizens to speak up if they notice that safety measures are not being observed and ask for their implementation, adding that the 1520 phone line for lodging complaints is in operation.

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