PM to chair COVID meeting today - possible return to mandatory use of face masks
Mitsotakis
15 Jul 2020
/ 12:41
ATHENS. The Specialists΄ Committee is proposing the return to mandatory use of face masks - Concern about Greeks taking short trips to North Macedonia and Bulgaria - Focus now on flights from UK.
The members of the Specialists' Committee hope to put a 'brake' on the possible spread of coronavirus following the incidence of cases around the country in Paros and Lesvos, for example. Stricter measures for Greek citizens as well as tourists will be discussed with more checks at land borders coming into force today along with the first flights arriving from the UK.
Following the suspension fairs (panigiria), health experts are now proposing a return to the mandatory use of masks in indoor spaces as well as measures for social events such as weddings and christenings.
For this reason, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be chairing a meeting at 16:30 today to discuss the intensification of checks and the implementation of measures to deal with the virus.
One issue will be Greeks visiting countries such as North Macedonia and Bulgaria for cheap shopping. "This must cease," said committee member and Health Ministry infectious diseases specialist Marios Lazanas on Wednesday morning.
Another matter that will be looked into is land workers - mostly Albanians - as, according to Mr. Lazanas, "A number of the recent cases have involved Albanians who have recently visited their home country."
A new issue is the number of British tourists that will start arriving in Greece from today with the reopening of airports to UK flights. 7 flights with approximately 900 tourists are arriving in Zakynthos today, 4 flights to Rhodes and another 7 are scheduled to arrive at Athens International Airport on Wednesday.
A special Armed Forces health team is at Zakynthos Airport, supervised by the Civil Protection Ministry, along with the Fire Department and Police for the conducting of sample tests targetted at international arrivals. The same was also the case for the arrival of the first plane from the UK in Corfu today.
As has previously been announced, flights from Sweden will be allowed from Monday 22 July and there will be a review to decide whether flights from other countries not on the white list, such as the USA, will be allowed.
Following the suspension fairs (panigiria), health experts are now proposing a return to the mandatory use of masks in indoor spaces as well as measures for social events such as weddings and christenings.
For this reason, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be chairing a meeting at 16:30 today to discuss the intensification of checks and the implementation of measures to deal with the virus.
One issue will be Greeks visiting countries such as North Macedonia and Bulgaria for cheap shopping. "This must cease," said committee member and Health Ministry infectious diseases specialist Marios Lazanas on Wednesday morning.
Another matter that will be looked into is land workers - mostly Albanians - as, according to Mr. Lazanas, "A number of the recent cases have involved Albanians who have recently visited their home country."
A new issue is the number of British tourists that will start arriving in Greece from today with the reopening of airports to UK flights. 7 flights with approximately 900 tourists are arriving in Zakynthos today, 4 flights to Rhodes and another 7 are scheduled to arrive at Athens International Airport on Wednesday.
A special Armed Forces health team is at Zakynthos Airport, supervised by the Civil Protection Ministry, along with the Fire Department and Police for the conducting of sample tests targetted at international arrivals. The same was also the case for the arrival of the first plane from the UK in Corfu today.
As has previously been announced, flights from Sweden will be allowed from Monday 22 July and there will be a review to decide whether flights from other countries not on the white list, such as the USA, will be allowed.
