Traditional fairs (panigiria) suspended until end of July
coronavirus
13 Jul 2020
/ 16:35
Traditional fairs have been officially suspended throughout Greece until the end of July following the recent spike in coronavirus cases.
In a teleconference chaired by the Minister of Health Vassilis Kikilias, the Health Ministry's expert committee decided on the following recommendations for the Government:
- Suspension of traditional fairs throughout the country until the end of July.
- Intensification of testing at land borders.
- Extension of testing to seasonal workers from neighbouring countries.
The Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas announced that the suspension of traditional fairs until the end of July had been discussed at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis this morning.
"Because there are risks not only from international arrivals but also from the relaxation of vigilance within the country itself, the infectious diseases expert committee was asked to consider the immediate suspension of fairs and mass gatherings until the end of July at its meeting today," said Mr. Petsas.
Mr. Petsas said that the following were decided at the Prime Minister's meeting this morning:
- To step up targeted random testing at the gateways into the country, with emphasis on the Promahonas border crossing. "Out of a totalof 67,797 tests carried out on arrivals at the country's borders from 1 - 11 July, 218 had tested positive - just 0.35%," said Mr. Petsas. "The rate at Promahonas, however, was roughly four times that of other entry points, such as Athens International Airport. From early Wednesday morning checks will be thorough and travellers will be allowed to enter Greece only if they have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19. Penalties will be imposed if these prove to be forged."
- Tighter controls of the border crossings with Albania, at Kakavia and Krystallopigi. "Already, there were 1,011 targeted tests at Kakavia this weekend and this will be extended to Krystallopigi in the next few days."
- Greece will go ahead with the resumption of direct flights from the UK on July 15 and Sweden on July 22,. Depending on epidemiological data, it will examine the resumption of flights from non-EU countries - such as the USA - from the end of July with the submission of a negative PCR test for Covid-19 carried out up to 72 hours before the date of arrival in Greece.
"The Government is constantly monitoring developments, talking to experts and taking any measures that are necessary," Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said.
- Suspension of traditional fairs throughout the country until the end of July.
- Intensification of testing at land borders.
- Extension of testing to seasonal workers from neighbouring countries.
The Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas announced that the suspension of traditional fairs until the end of July had been discussed at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis this morning.
"Because there are risks not only from international arrivals but also from the relaxation of vigilance within the country itself, the infectious diseases expert committee was asked to consider the immediate suspension of fairs and mass gatherings until the end of July at its meeting today," said Mr. Petsas.
Mr. Petsas said that the following were decided at the Prime Minister's meeting this morning:
- To step up targeted random testing at the gateways into the country, with emphasis on the Promahonas border crossing. "Out of a totalof 67,797 tests carried out on arrivals at the country's borders from 1 - 11 July, 218 had tested positive - just 0.35%," said Mr. Petsas. "The rate at Promahonas, however, was roughly four times that of other entry points, such as Athens International Airport. From early Wednesday morning checks will be thorough and travellers will be allowed to enter Greece only if they have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19. Penalties will be imposed if these prove to be forged."
- Tighter controls of the border crossings with Albania, at Kakavia and Krystallopigi. "Already, there were 1,011 targeted tests at Kakavia this weekend and this will be extended to Krystallopigi in the next few days."
- Greece will go ahead with the resumption of direct flights from the UK on July 15 and Sweden on July 22,. Depending on epidemiological data, it will examine the resumption of flights from non-EU countries - such as the USA - from the end of July with the submission of a negative PCR test for Covid-19 carried out up to 72 hours before the date of arrival in Greece.
"The Government is constantly monitoring developments, talking to experts and taking any measures that are necessary," Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said.
