Where Greece had one of the least Covid cases per million citizens at the beginning of july, the number of cases is rocketing since the end of July/beginning of August. From the 5,623 cases, “1,438 are considered to be related to travel from abroad and 2,705 are related to an already known case. Greece recorded 203 new cases of COVID-19 in 24 hours, the single largest daily number of cases since the pandemic began.” (Greek City Times, 10th August).

Covid cases Greece

Initially, Greece had a large success fighting the coronavirus by an early lockdown in March. Since half June, some lockdown measures have been lifted. The daily cases have steeply increased. ““We must say that the increase in cases is mainly due to the relaxation of compliance to the measures within our country in July. And I believe we all have a responsibility for it. Only 10% of cases are imported, most cases at the moment are domestic,” he (Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis) continued.” (Greek City Times) “Authorities sealed a popular beach bar on Mykonos island after seven employees tested positive for the virus, Skai tv reported, while officials on Ikaria island intervened in a village celebration with dozens of people.” (Anadoulu Agency). Further, the Covid probably spread from travel to and from Balkan countries, which have a high number of cases.

Travel, tests and measures

Out of the 124 cases Saturday, 29 cases where noticed at one of the country’s entrance gates. Because Covid cases were low at the time, Greece began to consider how Greece could be re-opened in May. That meant lifting the non-travel and quarantine regulations. Instead, persons entering Greece are tested on Covid.

Since August 1, the Police have fined 2,042 persons for violating the Covid regulations, 57 shops were shut. “Parties at Chersonissos: ‘We’ve been drinking and cramming on each other every night’” headlines the AD, a newspaper in the Netherlands.

Some measures have already been taken: on Thursday, restrictive measures were imposed on the island of Poros in the Saronic Gulf. At Amplelonas (in Central Greece) measures were taken following the infections on a wedding. These measures included the suspension of events, religious processions and open markets. (Neokosmos)

Last Friday, Nikos Hardalias (Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management) announced the following measures:

• As of August 12, visitors coming from Malta are required to show proof of a Covid-19 negative molecular test (PCR) taken up to 72 hours prior to arriving in Greece.
• Following a relevant recommendation of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, all processions are suspended indefinitely, as are all rural trade fairs.
• The measure of banning standing customers in all nightclubs, bars, restaurants and live music venues, currently in effect, is extended until August 31

Earlier that week, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the importance of the ‘national vaccine’: “which is nothing more than our ‘philotimo’ and together we must follow the measures indicated by the experts and I am sure that if we do we will emerge victorious from this difficult battle as well.”

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