Update – 18/08/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 7,222. The country recorded another triple-digit increase yesterday with 150 new cases. Also, two new deaths were announced, raising the death toll to 230. The average age of all those who have died is 77 years. More than 95% of these individuals suffered from an underlying disease or were 70 years of age or more. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 23, with an average age of 66 years, while 136 patients have exited the intensive care unit.

The General secretariat for Civil Protection reminded returning holidaymakers to maintain social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable people in an emergency text send out to mobile phones on Monday afternoon, as authorities step up measures to tackle the rising number of coronavirus infections. The message said the “Covid-19 spread risk is increased” and urged citizens to “follow protective advise.

Regarding the cases reported yesterday:

• 17 were detected during the tests carried out at Greece’s entry points
• 8 are imported cases, which requested testing voluntarily
• 46 cases were detected in Attica region, 14 of which are related to travel within the country
• 30 cases were detected in Thessaloniki region, 7 of which are related to travel within the country
• 2 cases were detected in Aetolia-Acarnania
• 3 cases were detected in Arcadia
• 3 cases were detected in Achaia
• 1 case was detected in Boeotia
• 1 case was detected in Dodecanese
• 1 case was detected in Euboea
• 3 cases were detected in Ilia
• 5 cases were detected in Imathia, 1 of which is related to travel within the country
• 3 cases were detected in Heraklion
• 1 case was detected in Karditsa
• 1 case was detected in Kerkyra
• 1 case was detected in Kilkis
• 1 case was detected in Kozani
• 1 case was detected in Cyclades
• 7 cases were detected in Larissa
• 1 case was detected in Lesbos
• 1 case was detected in Pella
• 2 cases were detected in Rethymno
• 1 case was detected in Serres
• 2 cases were detected in Trikala
• 2 cases were detected in Chalkidiki
• 2 cases were detected in Chania
• 3 cases were detected in Chios, which are related to known influxes

MEASURES/ RESTRICTIONS

• The use of masks by all employees and customers at public services is mandatory, according to a circular issued by the Interior Ministry on Monday. Moreover, civil servants belonging to high-risk groups will have the option of working from home until August 31, according to the same circular. Health officials have intensified a campaign to convince citizens to wear masks in all public areas amid an upward trend in coronavirus infections.

• Three more residents at the Vial migrant reception center on the island of Chios have been placed in quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus, reports said on Monday. The center has been put under full lockdown until August 25 after a 35-year-old man from Yemen and a female employee at the facility tested positive for the virus last week.

• It was also reported on Monday that three passengers who traveled on the Blue Star 1 ferry from Patmos Island to Piraeus were placed in isolation after two of them were found positive for the coronavirus. The other passengers of the ferry were allowed to disembark normally at Piraeus. An investigation has now been launched, and depending on the results, the necessary actions will be taken for the rest of the ferry passengers who traveled on that same ship.

• Nine police officers serving in the northern port city of Thessaloniki have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the past week, the head of the local police union said in statements to a news website late on Monday. Alarmed by the infections among officers, Theodoros Tsairidis send a letter to the ministers of health and citizen protection, requesting a mandatory molecular screening of all the officers who return to work after their leave.

EDUCATION

• Schools in Greece will reopen for the new academic year on September 7 despite the rising number of infections in the country, according to government spokesman Stelios Petsas. Petsas argued that if adults maintain social distancing, wash their hands often and wear a mask, children will also be convinced to do so. The decision for earlier reopening was taken in June, and confirmed Monday, as part of a bid by education authorities to help pupils cover the material that was left out in the previous term after schools were closed to halt the spread of the coronavirus in March.

TRAVEL

• All travelers entering Greece from Israel as of August 17 until August 31, will be obliged to present a negative molecular test result (PCR) for coronavirus (Covid-19) upon arrival to the country. The test must be performed up to 72 hours before travelers enter Greece. Airlines must check whether passengers have a negative Covid-19 test before the flight. If not, passengers should not be allowed to board. Airlines that do not comply with this obligation will be responsible for the repatriation of passengers at their own expense.

GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT MEASURES

• New measures are being planned by the government to prop up businesses and employees hit by the pandemic and, in the longer term, tax breaks for 2021 to the tune of €1.5 billion. Most of the cuts will on average involve a 2% reduction in social security contributions. The aim is to announce details of the plans mid-September and the aid measures will not target just tourism and bars, cafes and restaurants this time.

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