Covid-19: Strict Lockdown Measures Announced for Kalymnos

UPDATE (May 15): The strict lockdown measures on Kalymnos have been extended until May 24.

Kalymnos Island. Photo Source: Municipality of Kalymnos

Greek authorities have announced strict lockdown measures for Kalymnos in the Dodecanese, after the island recorded a significant rise of coronavirus (Covid-19) infections.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, a day after restaurants and bars re-opened in Greece, after having been closed for six months due to the pandemic.

Greece’s General Secretariat for Civil Protection said it was imposing a lockdown on the Dodecanese island from 6am on Wednesday through to 6am on May 10, for “urgent reasons of public health risk” and to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the decision:

• A 24-hour restriction on movement is in place. Residents are allowed to leave their homes with identification on them and after sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033, only for the following reasons:

– To walk a pet (SMS – Option 6)
– for health reasons (Option 1)
– to go to the super market (Option 2 – from 6am until 6pm) or
– to go and return from work during working hours (with a type A employer certificate)

• Retail stores, bars, cafes and restaurants remain closed
• Stores offering food (super markets, bakeries, butcher shops and fish markets) as well as pharmacies and gas stations are open
• Delivery services are operating until 11pm
• The operation of open-air markets is suspended
• Gatherings in public or private spaces, indoors or outdoors are strictly prohibited
• Religious ceremonies are also suspended with the exception of funerals that can take place with the participation of up to nine close relatives (SMS – Option 5).