The Greek government on Tuesday announced another clampdown aimed to prevent a surge of coronavirus cases, as the country faces a possible rapid outbreak of the Delta variant and what appears to be unwillingness by a large minority in the country to get vaccinated.
Specifically, the top civil defense official said that as of Thursday all food-&-beverage establishments, and especially night clubs, will operate exclusively with seated customers. The measure aims to stop clubs and beach bars overflowing with standing patrons, mostly young people, with a good portion considered as not having received at least one of four Covid-19 vaccines available in the country.
The measure will be accompanied by fines and at least a one-week closure for the first confirmed violation; a third violation ascertained at a business is accompanied by suspension of the latter’s operating license.
Even more ominously, and in an unprecedented measure, after a relevant ministerial decision is issued in the coming days authorities will have the ability to impose sanctions even after the fact, based on material derived from social media, posted videos and even complaints.
“With the first violation (ascertained), a business will be shut down (for a week, by authorities),” Deputy Civil Defense Minister Nikos Hardalias said.
While related daily deaths in the east Mediterranean country are now in the single digits and intubated Covid-19 patients in all ICUs are under 200, the number of single-day new instances of the virus more than doubled over the past week, rising to nearly 1,800 on Tuesday.
Hardalias “sounded the alarm” on Tuesday, warning that people without a vaccination now risk contracting the Delta variant, which is considered a more dangerous strain of the coronavirus.
He also said new cases of Covid-19 are affecting younger age groups, with the average age now in Greece being 27. “Since last Monday we’ve recorded a dramatic rise in the number of new cases, which have nearly tripled,” he said.
Latest News
Athens Int’l Airport Wins Top Prize at Routes Europe Awards
The Routes business is focused entirely on aviation route development and the company's portfolio includes events, media and online businesses
IOBE: Income Gap Between Poor and Wealthy Greeks Widens
The findings in the analysis, entitled “Progressivity in Income Taxation in Greece, 2012-2021", paint a bleak picture for Greeks in the bottom half of the income bracket, warning that income inequality is growing
Study Finds 4 in 10 Greeks to Slash Easter Spending
This year, hit by persistent inflation, many Greeks will be dishing out less on food, drink and gifts for Orthodox Easter on May 5
ELSTAT: Overnight Stays in Greece Up in Feb.
The provisional monthly data revealed that arrivals at tourist accommodations amounted to 773,104 and overnight stays were 1,677,685
Electric Energy: Greece’s New Sustainable Export
Moreover, a surplus of generated electricity cannot be fully absorbed by domestic grids and this excess power finds eager buyers in the form of companies entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), willing to pay a premium for clean energy
IOBE Revises Greek GDP Growth Downward, to 2.1% For 2024
Annual inflation is expected to reach 3%, up from the previous forecast of 2.8%
Last Sections of 136km E65 Highway Inaugurated on Tues.
Athens to Karditsa drive time is expected to drop to two and a half hours (under normal conditions), and some three hours from Athens to Trikala
Reuters: Greece to Repay More Bailout Loans Ahead of Maturity in 2023
The country has relied solely on international markets for its borrowing needs since a third institutional bailout ended in 2018
Ag Min. Avgenakis: Greece-China Cooperation in Research, Education in Agri-Food Sector
Greek minister tours cutting-edge hydroponics and robotics facilities at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing
Mini Holiday Season in Greece for Upcoming Orthodox Easter
Occupancy rates reach up to 90% domestically for accommodations open ahead of peak summer season