Greece Eases Some Covid-19 Lockdown Restrictions
Aiming to reduce lockdown fatigue and gradually reopen the economy, the Greek government will ease a few lockdown measures imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
As announced by officials during Friday’s Covid-19 media briefing, from Saturday, March 20, the country’s night curfew will be in force from 9pm until 5am for the whole country, seven days a week, regardless of what risk levels areas have on the country’s coronavirus risk-assessment map.
Moreover, as of Monday, March 22, hair and beauty salons will re-open and can service customers only by appointment and by following strict social distancing rules.
Also as of March 22, open-air archaeological sites and public parks will re-open to the public, and fishing (either from land or on a small boat) will be allowed for residents of coastal municipalities.
Photo © GTP
It is noted that people can visit archaeological sites and public parks by requesting permission for movement (on foot) by sending an SMS for option “code 6” to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033.
Those who want to go fishing will also have to send an SMS for option “code 6” to request permission.
Churches will also reopen for services on March 21, on March 25 and on March 26. Only 20 people will be allowed in churches at the same time.
Free Covid-19 rapid tests for all
Photo source: Region of Attica
In addition, at the end of March, people will be able to take a free Covid 19 rapid test, once every week at pharmacies (AMKA social security number is required).
According to Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos, by offering free rapid tests to the public through their local pharmacies, more people will be tested and the government will be able to form a better picture of Greece’s epidemiological situation, which will help in taking decisions for easing further lockdown restrictions in April.
6 more areas go ‘dark red’ on Covid-19 map
During the same briefing, Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias announced that six more areas in Greece have moved to Covid-19 ‘dark red’ level (very high-risk) on the country’s coronavirus risk-assessment map, due to a rise in cases.
As of Saturday, March 20, the regional units of Mykonos and Zakynthos; the municipality of Amphipoli (of the regional unit of Serres), the municipalities of Kastoria and Orestidos (of the regional unit of Kastoria), the municipality of Karditsa; and the municipality of Leros (of the regional unit of Kalymnos) will be in a stricter lockdown.
Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.
On the other hand, due to a drop in Covid-19 cases, the regional units of Fokida, Samos, Arta and Lefkada, and the municipality of Rhodes, will move to ‘red’ status (high-risk) on Greece’s risk-assessment map.
For further information (in Greek) on the restrictive measures in ‘red’ and ‘dark red’ areas, press here. The map is updated every week.
Greek health authorities on Friday announced 2,785 new coronavirus cases – 1,281 found in Athens-Attica alone – and 64 deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic, the total number of cases in the country has reached 233,079. The Covid-19 death toll in Greece is 7,361.
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