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
Capital Link Forum Highlights Greece’s Economic Resurgence; Honors BoG Gov Stournaras
Capital Link Hellenic Leadership Award recipient, Bank of Greece Gov. Yannis Stournaras, an ex-FinMin, was lauded for his pivotal role during Greece’s economic recovery
Tourist Spending in Greece Up by 14%, Visa Card Analysis Shows
Greece’s capital Athens emerged as the most popular destination, recording a 17% increase in transactions with Visa cards, surpassing even the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos.
Inflation in Greece Unchanged at 2.4% in Nov. 2024
The general consumer price index (CPI) posted a 0.4% decrease in November compared to the previous month
2024 Christmas Holidays: Extended Shop Hours Schedule
The 2024 Christmas Holidays extended shop hours schedule commences on Thursday, December 12 and runs until the end of the year.
ELSTAT: Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Down in October
The number of employed individuals reached 4,284,694, an increase of 67,723 compared to October 2023 (+1.6%) and 22,002 compared to September 2024 (+0.5%).
Greek PM’s Chief Economic Adviser Resigns
In the post on his Facebook page, Patelis did not disclose the reasons that led him to step down.
“Masdar Invests in the people of Greece and in the vision of TERNA ENERGY”
Four messages from the CEO of Masdar, the Arab renewable energy giant, after its acquisition of 70% of TERNA ENERGY
Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards 2024: Honors for leading companies and personalities in the Greek shipping sector
20 awards presented at the 21st annual Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, His family Granted Asylum by Russia
Reuters also reported that a deal has been struck to ensure the safety of Russian military bases in the war-ravaged country
Greece to Introduce Artificial Intelligence into Its Education System
Currently, Greece is taking its first steps to bring AI into classrooms through the AI4edu program, which is being co-funded by the European Union