Greece recorded 1,387 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday — 759 fewer cases than those recorded on Monday, when restaurants and cafes opened to the public for the first time in six months, and Easter Sunday.
Additionally, the country recorded 783 patients with Covid-19 on ventilators on Tuesday, which is 14 fewer than the 797 patients undergoing the invasive treatment in the country yesterday and the day before, Monday and Sunday.
A total of 21,511 coronavirus tests were conducted across the country during the day, bringing the positivity rate back down to 6.45%, down from 9% over the last 48 hours.
Tragically, 81 people suffering from the coronavirus passed away in the country over the past 24-hour period, which represents 53 fewer individuals than those who died with the virus on Easter Sunday and on Monday.
556 cases of the coronavirus diagnosed in Attica alone; 181 in Thessaloniki
Of the 1,387 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Greece in the past 24 hours; 556 were located in Attica, home to the Greek capital city of Athens.
Instances of the virus were particularly high in the center of the city itself, where 161 cases of Covid-19 were identified on Monday.
Tests showed that in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, a total of 181 cases of Covid-19 had been diagnosed in the last 24 hours.
Over 10,000 total coronavirus deaths in Greece
Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 349,936 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the country, including all those who have recovered from the virus.
Of the cases diagnosed in Greece in the past seven days, just 34 are associated with foreign travel and 957 have been linked to contact with a known case.
On Monday alone, 387 people with the coronavirus were admitted to hospitals in Greece.
Of the 783 patients intubated currently, 82.8% are over the age of 70 or suffer from preexisting conditions. Their average age is 68.
Additionally, a total of 2,146 patients have been discharged from ICUs around the country since the beginning of the pandemic.
The 81 new deaths recorded on Monday bring the total number of fatalities in the country to 10,668; 95.4% of those who have passed away with the virus were over the age of 70 or suffered from underlying health issues.
The average age of those who have tragically died with the coronavirus in Greece is 78 years.
Greece reopens cautiously
Cafes and restaurants are now allowed to reopen in Greece with limited hours, and with the stipulation that all diners are seated outdoors. All establishments are required to close at 10:45 PM in order to allow patrons to respect the 11:00 PM curfew.
However, restaurant owners are hoping that this is only a temporary measure, as many establishments usually stay open past 2:00 AM.
Speaking with the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, the Minister of Development and Investment, Adonis Georgiadis, stated that the government’s goal is to eventually allow longer hours of operation. Following the country’s reopening to tourists on May 15th, Georgiadis stated that restaurants and bars will likely be allowed to operate for longer hours.
According to the strict coronavirus measures now in effect, all restaurants and cafes will be open for outdoor seating only, with socially-distanced tables — and no music.
Music has been banned in establishments in order to stop people from raising their voices to be heard over it.
According to Georgiadis, doctors who were consulted on Greece’s reopening insisted on this measure, because more droplets of moisture containing the coronavirus are likely to travel through the air when people speak louder.
The restrictions state that each table can seat a maximum of six people, and customers must sit, not stand. Restaurants are encouraged to make sure that patrons do not move tables and chairs in an attempt to enforce social distancing.
While waiting to be seated, customers must also wear masks. They are also strongly recommended to wear their masks while not eating or drinking, but this is not mandatory.
Additionally, all staff will have to undergo self-testing for the coronavirus twice a week and they must wear masks while working.
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