Update – 31/07/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 4,401. 65 were the confirmed new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the last 24 hours in the country. It was the largest single-day increase in new cases since the end of the lockdown on May 4. 17 of those infections were imported infections detected at the country’s entry points, the National Organization of Public Health (EODY) said in its daily report. No new deaths were reported on Thursday and the total number remains at 203. The median age of the patients who died was 76 years. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 7, while 128 patients have left the intensive care unit.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on his expert committee advising him on the developments concerning the coronavirus pandemic to “sound the alarm” if they believe that a specific measure is required to control the spread of the virus. “If you judge that you need to sound the alarm for some measures to be taken, do not hesitate to do this promptly,” he said during a virtual government meeting to review the latest figures and discuss the handling of the virus. Talks focused particularly on the need to intensify checks and inspections on public transport and places of entertainment. The meeting also concluded that the increase in cases had not significantly worsened epidemiological indicators but that vigilance, use of face masks and the diligent implementation of measures against crowding remained essential. Mitsotakis said that regular video conferences on the progress of the pandemic will continue to be held three times a week in August.

Regarding yesterday’s cases:

• 17 were detected during the tests carried out at Greece’s entry points
• 17 are imported cases, which requested testing voluntarily, 16 were employees of a tanker anchored outside Piraeus
• 11 cases were detected in the regional unit of Attica
• 7 cases were detected in the regional unit of Thessaloniki
• 3 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kavala
• 3 cases were detected in the regional unit of Kerkyra
• 1 cases were detected in the regional unit of Achaia
• 2 cases were detected in the regional unit of Xanthi
• 1 case was detected in the regional unit of Boeotia
• 1 case was detected in the regional unit of Kozani
• 1 case was detected in the regional unit of Magnesia
  
  

MEASURES/RESTRICTIONS

• Muslims in Greece celebrating Kurban Bayram (starting today) should carefully implement health and safety guidelines to protect themselves from coronavirus, Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said today in a press release. Existing safety measures included in a joint ministerial decision extended until August 21 require prayers to be conducted inside mosques only where one person is allowed per 5 sq.m. and at a distance of 1.5 meters between them. In mosques that are larger than 500 sq.m. the maximum number allowed is 100 people and the faithful are advised to bring their own prayer mat. According to the rules, prayers in public spaces are banned, but mosques can allow up to 10 people to gather in their courtyards, provided they keep a distance of 1.5 meters between them and wear a mask. Furthermore, not more than 10 people are allowed to gather in house dinners. Hardalias also called on vulnerable groups to remain at home. “Payer at home is the safest way to fulfil their religious duties while protecting their health,” he said in his statement.

• Police on Mykonos continued a crackdown on Wednesday night aimed at preventing overcrowding and other health safety violations at the popular Greek holiday island’s bars and nightclubs amid concerns that large gatherings of mainly young people were contributing to a spike in coronavirus infections in many parts of the country. Police inspected 15 bars and recorded no health safety violations but warned that checks will continue ahead of the peak of the summer holiday season. The increased inspections were ordered by Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, who traveled to Mykonos on Tuesday following reports of at least one big party on the island over the preceding weekend. According to local media, the private party had attracted an estimated 200 people. Health authorities are concerned that such gatherings could turn into a super-spreading events if one or more attendees are infected with the virus.

• Coronavirus safety measures in Greece are being flouted mainly by young people, men and people living in cities other than Athens, according to a recent survey. Conducted by market research and polling firm Qed from July 15-18, the survey found that 51% of its 500 respondents admitted to being lax about implementing the recommendations of health authorities. The rate came to 58% among male respondents and 45% among female ones. In terms of age groups, the worst culprits were 15-23-year-olds, who admitted to ignoring health safety rules at a rate of 74%. The rate was also high among 24-39-year-olds at 64%, dropping to 54% in the 40-55 age group and 33% in the 55-75 bracket. Geographically, Athens had the highest rate of compliance, with just 44% percent of respondents living in the Greek capital saying that they are lax about health safety.

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