Greece Lifts Most Covid-19 Restrictions Countrywide

Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga; Health Minister Thanos Plevris; EODY President Theoklis Zaoutis. Photo source: Ministry of Health

In an about-turn, the Greek Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that all restrictions for regions with high Covid-19 rates would be lifted, including curfews, as of Saturday, October 9.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris, together with newly appointed National Health Organization (EODY) President Theoklis Zaoutis, announced the measures, adding that their effectiveness would be re-assessed in 15 days’ time.

More specifically:

– as of Saturday, there will be no measures anywhere in Greece irrespective of Covid-19 risk

– areas listed red will be updated on the epidemiological risk map and residents encouraged to take extra caution 

– standing/dancing (for the vaccinated) and music will be allowed at venues across Greece

– there will be no curfews or movement bans

– mini-lockdowns previously ordered for the high-risk, red-listed regions of Thessaloniki, Larissa, Halkidiki, Kilkis, Argolida, Kastoria, Imathia, Pieria, Pella, Kavala, Xanthi and Drama are set to be lifted.

Plevris said the Covid-19 committee would assess whether extra measures are needed based on incoming data.

Complete freedom for the vaccinated

Regarding the reported ‘liberties’ to be granted to those who have been vaccinated against the deadly virus, these include access to indoor and vaccinated-only outdoor venues which will as of Saturday be allowed to return to pre-Covid-19 activities, including allowing customers to stand/dance and music to be played.

“There will be complete freedom for the vaccinated, no restrictions. The staff at restaurants and entertainment venues will take the necessary measures and will wear masks,” he said.

Photo source: Athens Chamber of Tradesmen

Plevris noted that any remaining measures were meant to protect both vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens, adding that actions were being taken to return to normalcy.

Meanwhile, the number of intubations at intensive care units in Northern Greece, where vaccination levels are below 50 percent, were up by 37 percent in September compared to August. At the same time 96.4 percent of hospital admissions in the region concerned non-vaccinated patients.

Greece reported 2,876 new Covid-19 cases and 34 deaths in the last 24-hour period.