Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias said in a television briefing on Friday that the Greek government adopted some containment measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus until January 18.
The country has been locked down since the beginning of November due to a surge in infections mainly in the north. Its public health system has been under severe pressure, while the infection has subsided slowly.
Infectious disease expert Vana Papaevangelou said: “It is difficult to keep the viral load low during the winter.” “If we allow the conditions that trigger an epidemiological surge, then our health system will face tremendous pressure.”
The authorities will allow kindergartens and primary schools across the country to reopen on Monday. But other industries, including retailers and hairdressers, will be closed for a week.
Health authorities reported 721 new COVID-19 cases and 49 related deaths on Friday, bringing the total to 143,494 and 5,195 since the first coronavirus case was detected in February last year. Greece earlier extended the restrictions on international passengers entering Greece by two weeks.
