Greece to Gradually Ease Covid-19 Lockdown Measures at Month’s End

Acropolis, Athens. Photo source: Visit Greece

Greece will begin to progressively ease coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions as of April 27, said Government Spokesman Stelios Petsas on Wednesday, stressing yet again that Orthodox Easter will be spent indoors in order to protect loved ones.

Petsas said the government was currently working on a plan to lift lockdown measures gradually based on epidemiological data and feedback from experts.

He stressed that the country’s “return to normalcy” will be “gradual and long-term and the transition will not be automatic”.

He went on to clarify that the plan will be “implemented in successive phases different for each sector and population group. Each step will be controlled and each subsequent action will depend on the results of the previous step. The results of the strategy will be evaluated daily”, he added.

The Greek government announcement comes after the European Commission put forth a roadmap on how to phase out containment measures in place across Europe, including the removal of travel restrictions and border controls.

WHO: Lockdowns should be lifted in two-week stages

In the meantime, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, that countries lifting restrictions imposed to fight the spread of Covid-19 should wait at least two weeks to assess the impact of such changes before moving to the next phase.

Every country should implement comprehensive public health measures to maintain a sustainable steady state of low-level or no transmission and prepare its surge capacity to react rapidly to control any spread, the WHO said.

“To reduce the risk of new outbreaks, measures should be lifted in a phased, step-wise manner based on an assessment of the epidemiological risks and socioeconomic benefits of lifting restrictions on different workplaces, educational institutions, and social activities,” the WHO said one day after the Commission tabled its set of guidelines.