Greek PM Warns of Complacency After Lockdown is Lifted

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday warned of complacency following the lifting of the lockdown restrictions announced last week.

“Many of our compatriots seem to believe that we are done for good with the pandemic, something that is, of course, not the case,” Mitsotakis chided.

Chairing a meeting on the course of the pandemic, he pointed out that “Of course, we are seeing a significant de-escalation in the number of cases, in hospital admissions and intubation, but the pandemic is still here.”

“Freedom does not mean irresponsibility,” he added, and asked that citizens fully observe “the few measures that remain.”

Mitsotakis said that authorities will be strict about enforcing the law as it was very important for the positive course of the last few weeks to continue smoothly.

In the same meeting, infectious diseases expert Professor Sotiris Tsiodras said he was concerned about the new Covid-19 variants which “are redefining the pandemic response strategies in many European countries,” and called for constant vigilance. “The epidemic continues to threaten us.”

Authorities reported numerous violations of protective measures by cafes and restaurants over the weekend, particularly in Attica.

EODY, Greece’s Public Health Organization, announced on Sunday that a total of 50 new coronavirus deaths had been recorded in the country in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll of the pandemic in the country to 11,415.

Additionally, EODY announced that 1,262 new coronavirus infections had been reported in the last twenty-four-hour period.

Lockdown restrictions in Greece have been eased

A number of lockdown restrictions in Greece, imposed by the government to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), were lifted on Friday.

Greek Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos said that “We are leaving the lockdown behind us and are opening the economy and tourism.”

More specifically, from May 14:

• the country’s night curfew begins at 30 minutes past midnight and goes until 5 am)
• all museums are now reopened
• requesting permission for movement via SMS to 13033 and 13032 is abolished
• restrictions on domestic travel (movement between regions) is lifted (under rules for travel to the islands)
• the “click away” and “click in shop” methods of shopping in retail stores is abolished (the rule of one customer per 25 square meters in stores will continue to apply).

Skertsos also reminded the public that:

• day care centers will reopen on May 17
• open-air cinemas (known as “therina”) will reopen on May 21 (on a 75 percent capacity so as to ensure social distancing of customers)
• live cultural events and shows in outdoor areas (only with seated guests) will resume operation on May 28.

Furthermore, beginning in June, weddings and baptisms will be allowed to take place outdoors with a maximum of 100 people.

He added that music will remain banned in restaurants and cafes for all of May.

The lifting of the lockdown restrictions coincides with Greece’s official opening to international travelers.