The migrants identification and reception centre VIAL on Chios island was placed under lockdown until October 21, by decision of the Citizen Protection, Health and Migration and Asylum Ministers.

According to a Migration Ministry announcement on Wednesday, following the tracing of numerous coronavirus incidents at VIAL, the ministry requested a special team be sent by the National Public Health Organisation to the facility to improve tracing and treatment of migrants and refugees there.

Additionally, all women who are over five months pregnant will be immediately transferred to mainland Greece, near to COVID-19 referral hospitals, instead of giving birth at the Chios General Hospital.