Health Minister Thanos Plevris on Thursday announced new protection measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic after the emergence of the Omicron variant, effective from 6:00 on Friday until January 2. He said these would include the cancellation of all public festive events, the wearing of a mask at all times and in all areas, both indoor and outdoors, and additional protection protocols for travellers.
"In the last two days an increase in cases has been observed and we are trying to decodify this," he said during a press conference, adding that the transmissibility of the Omicron variant was very high, while the messages concerning disease severity were encouraging. "We will have a clearer picture in 10-15 days," Plevris added, noting that it was imperative to take measures.
The minister said that the new measures that will apply from January 3 will be decided after a meeting of the health experts' committee, which will convene again on Monday to examine the latest figures and make its recommendations.
Plevris said that under the new measures advised by the Committee of Experts for Covid from Friday, wearing a mask will be mandatory in all locations, including in gyms and bars, and masks can only be removed when consuming food or a drink.
He also announced that a double or a high-protection KN95 mask must be worn on public transport and in supermarkets.
Plevris clarified that no festive events for Christmas, whether organised by private-sector or public-sector entities, will be held in any region of the country, excluding theme parks.
For travellers entering Greece, in addition to the test taken before their arrival, they will also be required to repeat tests for Covid-19 on the second and fourth day after their entry into the country.
He also advised people meeting or gathering together over Christmas to self-test beforehand as a precaution and urged those going out during the holidays to be particularly careful of their contacts with vulnerable or elderly people in the days following their outing.
Regarding the measures that will apply from January 3, Plevris clarified that they will not resemble a general lockdown but target mostly restrictions of sporting events and recreational or non-essential activities, especially in relation to their opening hours, while they will not affect the opening of schools but may involve a revision of the health protocols in place. He also referred to plans for a return to greater levels of working remotely.
Responding to questions, Plevris said that masks will remain mandatory in churches, theatres and cinemas, while checks for compliance will intensify, with the number carried out in the coming days matching those for the whole of the previous year. If there was evidence that the measures were not being observed, he warned, the Committee will then recommend more and stricter measures.
The health minister said that Omicron was spreading in Greece and an increase in cases had been observed in the last two days, probably as a result of the greater crowding in recent days due to the holiday.
He also reported an increase in vaccination coverage, saying that this had now reached more than 80 pct of the population, while adding that more than 72 pct of those eligible for a booster shot had already received one.