Movement ban from 06:00 on Monday morning
movement ban
22 Mar 2020
/ 16:24
ATHENS. The Prime Minister announced the measure and said once again that it is "time for individual responsibility".
As expected, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis this evening (22/3) announced a ban on all non-vital movement from 06:00 pn Monday morning.
At 19:00 there will be further announcements from the Civil Protection & Crisis Management Deputy Minister, Nikos Hardalias; the Minister of State and Digital Governance, Kyriakos Pierakakis; Civil Protection Deputy Minister, Lefteris Economou; Deputy Minister of Health, Vassilis Kontozamanis and Deputy Minister of the Interior, Theodoros Livanios.
The Prime Minister's statement:
"Fellow citizens,
I have just ordered the relevant Ministers to proceed with the necessary steps so as that from 06:00 tomorrow Monday 23 March there will be a ban on any non-vital movement throughout Greece.
This is perhaps the last step that a properly functioning democracy can take. It must, however, happen immediately for it to be effective as time is not being counted in days, but in hours. Brave, speedy actions are required.
The State is bound by the Constitution to 'take care of citizens' health' and intervene when individual freedom goes beyond its constitutional purpose and threatens society.
And when there is a lack of individual responsibility, the public interest must be safeguarded. It is in the name of the common good that we have taken today's decision. In order to protect our health and everything we have achieved to now in this area. I have already informed the President and the Leaders of the political parties of my decision.
From tomorrow movement will be allowed only for the following: going to and from their work; obtaining food and medicine; visiting doctors or people in need of help;
short-distance travel from the home for exercise or the needs of pets. Permanent residents are also allowed to return to their homes here from other towns.
Whoever is going somewhere must have his or her ID or passport with them and be able to prove the purpose of their movement. For employees this can be a simple document from the employer or a Personal Responsible Declaration for the self-employed. A method of doing this in a user-friendly way is being arranged so that the confirmation document can be received online, by phone or even handwritten.
Finally, implementation of the measure will be monitored by the National Police, Municipal Police, Port Authorities and the National Transparency Administration. There will be a fine of 150 Euros for each violation.
Exceptions to the measure are Government and Parliament members, public workers and all health personnel as well as employees in the Civil Protection Service, Security Services and the Armed Forces. The Ministers responsible will shortly be giving the details.
Fellow citizens,
In Italy, tragically, there is one death every two minutes and the situation is worsening all over the world. I therefore have a duty not to allow our country to suffer this ordeal. We must not reach the point where we have to choose who will live and who will die. I have only one choice - the lives and health of the Greeks!
I would like to thank the vast majority of the public who have understood the threat and are staying at home. By emptying the streets and the squares we are banishing the danger and by staying at home we are turning them into fortresses of life.
I will not allow a few irresponsible people to undermine the safety of the many. Because a few irresponsible people can do harm to thousands of those who are responsible. As difficult times await us, we must close every back door to the bad - this is the purpose of this measure starting tomorrow.
From the very beginning of the health crisis the Government has kept the public updated honestly. I properly organised the country's medical structure and recruited additional nursing personnel and obtained medical equipment that is difficult to find. I restructured public services.
In just a few days I announced three packages of brave measures to support workers and businesses. All this whilst at the same time keeping our borders and Europe's borders impregnable. The State proved that it can respond to all issues. Now, however, it is time for individual and collective responsibility to come together as never before. Now is the time for each individual citizen!
The coronavirus doesn't take account of borders, nationalities or social groups. It threatens people, whoever they are and wherever they live. We are all equal before it.
But some are more vulnerable. Our grandparents, our parents. Our fellow citizens with chronic illnesses. They, too, must be protected by the National Health System in this crisis. Greeks haven't stopped having other diseases and health problems and we have to look after them.
Yesterday, Professor Tsiodras talked of the responsibility that young people have towards the elderly with a lump in his throat. Let this emotional reaction from someone who is carrying a heavy load with a clear mind and singular dignity be a wake-up call.
Now is the time to put up our own front and to sign a new social contract. Our chief committment must be to break the chain that spreads the virus - we must cease being the link that spreads the virus to others.
Fellow citizens,
The Government is standing erect and doing its duty, ensuring its care goes to every corner of he country. But I will say it once again: The strongest weapon against this invisible foe is our personal responsibility. No non-vital movement. Stay at home. With our attitude, we don't endanger those working day and night in hospitals for our health.
Staying at home is, essentially, an eminently democratic expression of collective responsibility. It is not a restriction, but an expression of respect for the whole of society.
In this way we will demonstrate that our social fibre is strong and conscientious. That together we can take on the country's load. We will need all our reserves of strength and patience to overcome this crisis.
I would like to conclude with the words of the American President Theodore Roosevelt which apply, I believe, to all those who are already fighting against the threat and will be called upon to do even more in the coming days: "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood. But who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause."
On behalf of all Greeks I thank them. And I ask you all to show our gratitude with our daily attitude. Personal wants take a back seat to the collective will and our nation is in our hands. We are all Greece, so let's protect her! Let our tomorrow be healthier, stronger and more optimistic.
No movement. Let all of us united give a pandemic response to the pandemic."
At 19:00 there will be further announcements from the Civil Protection & Crisis Management Deputy Minister, Nikos Hardalias; the Minister of State and Digital Governance, Kyriakos Pierakakis; Civil Protection Deputy Minister, Lefteris Economou; Deputy Minister of Health, Vassilis Kontozamanis and Deputy Minister of the Interior, Theodoros Livanios.
The Prime Minister's statement:
"Fellow citizens,
I have just ordered the relevant Ministers to proceed with the necessary steps so as that from 06:00 tomorrow Monday 23 March there will be a ban on any non-vital movement throughout Greece.
This is perhaps the last step that a properly functioning democracy can take. It must, however, happen immediately for it to be effective as time is not being counted in days, but in hours. Brave, speedy actions are required.
The State is bound by the Constitution to 'take care of citizens' health' and intervene when individual freedom goes beyond its constitutional purpose and threatens society.
And when there is a lack of individual responsibility, the public interest must be safeguarded. It is in the name of the common good that we have taken today's decision. In order to protect our health and everything we have achieved to now in this area. I have already informed the President and the Leaders of the political parties of my decision.
From tomorrow movement will be allowed only for the following: going to and from their work; obtaining food and medicine; visiting doctors or people in need of help;
short-distance travel from the home for exercise or the needs of pets. Permanent residents are also allowed to return to their homes here from other towns.
Whoever is going somewhere must have his or her ID or passport with them and be able to prove the purpose of their movement. For employees this can be a simple document from the employer or a Personal Responsible Declaration for the self-employed. A method of doing this in a user-friendly way is being arranged so that the confirmation document can be received online, by phone or even handwritten.
Finally, implementation of the measure will be monitored by the National Police, Municipal Police, Port Authorities and the National Transparency Administration. There will be a fine of 150 Euros for each violation.
Exceptions to the measure are Government and Parliament members, public workers and all health personnel as well as employees in the Civil Protection Service, Security Services and the Armed Forces. The Ministers responsible will shortly be giving the details.
Fellow citizens,
In Italy, tragically, there is one death every two minutes and the situation is worsening all over the world. I therefore have a duty not to allow our country to suffer this ordeal. We must not reach the point where we have to choose who will live and who will die. I have only one choice - the lives and health of the Greeks!
I would like to thank the vast majority of the public who have understood the threat and are staying at home. By emptying the streets and the squares we are banishing the danger and by staying at home we are turning them into fortresses of life.
I will not allow a few irresponsible people to undermine the safety of the many. Because a few irresponsible people can do harm to thousands of those who are responsible. As difficult times await us, we must close every back door to the bad - this is the purpose of this measure starting tomorrow.
From the very beginning of the health crisis the Government has kept the public updated honestly. I properly organised the country's medical structure and recruited additional nursing personnel and obtained medical equipment that is difficult to find. I restructured public services.
In just a few days I announced three packages of brave measures to support workers and businesses. All this whilst at the same time keeping our borders and Europe's borders impregnable. The State proved that it can respond to all issues. Now, however, it is time for individual and collective responsibility to come together as never before. Now is the time for each individual citizen!
The coronavirus doesn't take account of borders, nationalities or social groups. It threatens people, whoever they are and wherever they live. We are all equal before it.
But some are more vulnerable. Our grandparents, our parents. Our fellow citizens with chronic illnesses. They, too, must be protected by the National Health System in this crisis. Greeks haven't stopped having other diseases and health problems and we have to look after them.
Yesterday, Professor Tsiodras talked of the responsibility that young people have towards the elderly with a lump in his throat. Let this emotional reaction from someone who is carrying a heavy load with a clear mind and singular dignity be a wake-up call.
Now is the time to put up our own front and to sign a new social contract. Our chief committment must be to break the chain that spreads the virus - we must cease being the link that spreads the virus to others.
Fellow citizens,
The Government is standing erect and doing its duty, ensuring its care goes to every corner of he country. But I will say it once again: The strongest weapon against this invisible foe is our personal responsibility. No non-vital movement. Stay at home. With our attitude, we don't endanger those working day and night in hospitals for our health.
Staying at home is, essentially, an eminently democratic expression of collective responsibility. It is not a restriction, but an expression of respect for the whole of society.
In this way we will demonstrate that our social fibre is strong and conscientious. That together we can take on the country's load. We will need all our reserves of strength and patience to overcome this crisis.
I would like to conclude with the words of the American President Theodore Roosevelt which apply, I believe, to all those who are already fighting against the threat and will be called upon to do even more in the coming days: "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood. But who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause."
On behalf of all Greeks I thank them. And I ask you all to show our gratitude with our daily attitude. Personal wants take a back seat to the collective will and our nation is in our hands. We are all Greece, so let's protect her! Let our tomorrow be healthier, stronger and more optimistic.
No movement. Let all of us united give a pandemic response to the pandemic."
