Greece Announces Covid-19 ‘Red Alert’ for Kastoria

Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.

Local lockdown measures will be imposed on the regional unit of Kastoria, northern Greece, as of Friday, October 23, in efforts of the Greek authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The decision was announced by Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias during an emergency briefing on Wednesday after a surge in infections was reported in Kastoria. The regional unit has moved up a risk level on the country’s risk-assessment map to Level 4 (red) and designated as a “very high risk” area.

Kastoria is the second regional unit in Greece labeled as “red”, after Kozani.

Moreover, Hardalias said that Thessaloniki, Larissa, Serres and Viotia will move to Level 3 (orange – high risk), as of Friday, due to a rise in infections. Ioannina also remains at Level 3.

The announcements came after new Covid-19 cases in Greece jumped to 865 on Wednesday. Of the new cases reported by the National Public Health Organization (EODY), 331 were found in the wider Athens region, 181 in Thessaloniki, 10 in Viotia, 27 in Kozani, 9 in Kastoria, 23 in Larissa, 32 in Ioannina, 19 in Serres.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Greece has reached 27,334, with the death toll at 534.

Restrictive measures – Kastoria

Red-level areas in Greece provide for the mandatory use of a mask in all indoor and outdoor spaces and the suspension of all gatherings in public and private areas.

Regarding movement:

· Traveling outside the Kastoria regional unit is banned.
· Public transport: 50 percent capacity (masks are mandatory).
· Taxis: Only one passenger is allowed.
· Private cars: Only 3 people are allowed per private car (driver included).

The operation of the following establishments are suspended:

· Archaeological sites, museums, caves
· Theaters (live performances of all performing arts)
· Cinemas
· Nightclubs, including banquet halls, catering services and bars
· Music Stages
· Restaurants (only delivery/take away/drive-through services of packaged products are allowed)
· Playgrounds
· Gyms
· Open-air trade markets
· Retail shops
· Hair salons

Moreover, conferences and exhibitions are banned, and rehearsals/filming of TV shows are prohibited (rehearsals allowed via video conference), as are all kinds of sports events and group training sessions (individuals can exercise alone).

It is noted that schools and all educational centers will remain open with the mandatory use of masks in all areas. Universities will be closed (lessons will carry on only via tele-education).

The following establishments will be in operation in accordance to rules (wearing of masks, capacity limits, social distancing, etc) that have already been announced: public services, private companies, food stores (supermarkets, mini markets, bakeries, butchers, fish shops), farm markets (laiki), places of worship, hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes.

Public services and private companies must operate with reduced staff (teleworking).