Nikos Hardalias: There are no cases on the islands that haven΄t been declared
coronavirus
18 Aug 2020
/ 16:05
ATHENS. At his weekly update today Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias warned that if the coronavirus measures aren΄t adhered to, things could take a turn for the worse.
When asked by reporters about the claim from the Hellenic Federation of Nurses and Doctors Unions that information was being hidden, the Deputy Minister said that talk of dozens of undeclared cases in areas of Greece is unfounded. "There isn't a single case that anyone can hide," he stated categorically.
"Can you imagine if everyone around the country announced the number of cases? There is one real number, which is the one that is officially announced every evening," added the Health Deputy Minister Mr. Kontozamanis.
Mr. Hardalias stressed that we are very far from having to impose another lockdown. He said, "The reason we don't announce the specific numbers of cases per island is so as not to encourage unfair targeting of areas. Spatial planning is an element of the management of the virus but the main element is safeguarding public health. Rumours of undeclared cases on islands are unfounded. It is mandatory for them to be reported to the system. In Paros and Antiparos there is no reason for panic, everyone is isolated with their immediate family and friends. The situation is under complete control. There is no need for anyone to create panic. The Civil Protection Ministry is aware of all the epidemiological data nationwide."
The Civil Protection Deputy Minister also pointed out that Greece continues to be in a better situation than other countries. "We are 132nd in the list of cases per million and 108th in the list of deaths per million. In Greece there are 22 deaths per million and 693 cases per million."
Referring to the public's concern about the reopening of tourism, Nikos Hardalias said clearly, "Tourism is not responsible for the increase in cases. 83% of the cases are domestic and have resulted from social gatherings. Greece is not worse than other countries, we have opened up the economy and tourism at a small cost."
"At the moment a battle is being fought on two fronts - each country is fighting against the spread of the pandemic in the way it considers best and the global scientific community is fighting to find treatment. Until there is a satisfactory outcome we need to adhere to the protection measures. We have been successful up to now and let's continue that way. We don't unwittingly to help the virus spread. It's in our hands. There is one way to close the door on the virus - by adhering to the measures and coming out winners."
Mr. Hardalias was asked about the possibility of local lockdowns, even in Attica, and he responded, "There are no lockdowns at the moment. We're at the stage of taking special limitation measures. We're very far away from having to do something like that. A prospective lockdown would be for the whole of Attica, but there is no evidence or indication that we will take that step. It won't be on a Municipal level. It won't happen because we are going to adhere to the measures and it won't be necessary. There are no indications that it will be necessary."
In answer to a question about young people Nikos Hardalias said, "We just need to make it clear to the young what needs to happen. We are relying on them for everything to go well. They can discipline themselves. In what they do and what we did at their age they will show the required responsibility. Our youth are responsible. They are the citizens of tommorow and the majority of them are responsible citizens. Our reaponsibility is to make it clear to them how, without wanting to, they can spread the virus."
"Can you imagine if everyone around the country announced the number of cases? There is one real number, which is the one that is officially announced every evening," added the Health Deputy Minister Mr. Kontozamanis.
Mr. Hardalias stressed that we are very far from having to impose another lockdown. He said, "The reason we don't announce the specific numbers of cases per island is so as not to encourage unfair targeting of areas. Spatial planning is an element of the management of the virus but the main element is safeguarding public health. Rumours of undeclared cases on islands are unfounded. It is mandatory for them to be reported to the system. In Paros and Antiparos there is no reason for panic, everyone is isolated with their immediate family and friends. The situation is under complete control. There is no need for anyone to create panic. The Civil Protection Ministry is aware of all the epidemiological data nationwide."
The Civil Protection Deputy Minister also pointed out that Greece continues to be in a better situation than other countries. "We are 132nd in the list of cases per million and 108th in the list of deaths per million. In Greece there are 22 deaths per million and 693 cases per million."
Referring to the public's concern about the reopening of tourism, Nikos Hardalias said clearly, "Tourism is not responsible for the increase in cases. 83% of the cases are domestic and have resulted from social gatherings. Greece is not worse than other countries, we have opened up the economy and tourism at a small cost."
"At the moment a battle is being fought on two fronts - each country is fighting against the spread of the pandemic in the way it considers best and the global scientific community is fighting to find treatment. Until there is a satisfactory outcome we need to adhere to the protection measures. We have been successful up to now and let's continue that way. We don't unwittingly to help the virus spread. It's in our hands. There is one way to close the door on the virus - by adhering to the measures and coming out winners."
Mr. Hardalias was asked about the possibility of local lockdowns, even in Attica, and he responded, "There are no lockdowns at the moment. We're at the stage of taking special limitation measures. We're very far away from having to do something like that. A prospective lockdown would be for the whole of Attica, but there is no evidence or indication that we will take that step. It won't be on a Municipal level. It won't happen because we are going to adhere to the measures and it won't be necessary. There are no indications that it will be necessary."
In answer to a question about young people Nikos Hardalias said, "We just need to make it clear to the young what needs to happen. We are relying on them for everything to go well. They can discipline themselves. In what they do and what we did at their age they will show the required responsibility. Our youth are responsible. They are the citizens of tommorow and the majority of them are responsible citizens. Our reaponsibility is to make it clear to them how, without wanting to, they can spread the virus."
