Greek PM Rules Out Lockdown Despite Spiraling Covid-19 Cases

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (archive photo)

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ruled out a new countrywide lockdown despite a surge in Covid-19 cases in the last few weeks.

Speaking to his party during a parliamentary meeting, Mitsotakis presented the government’s four positions in its management of the pandemic.

Firstly, he said, there will not be another lockdown in the country.

Secondly, those who have been vaccinated against the deadly virus will not be subject to new restrictions contrary to the unvaccinated who will be required to be tested regularly.

Thirdly, he pledged to boost medical and nursing staff in the public health care system particularly at regional hospitals.

And lastly, the government will continue to push ahead with vaccinations, which he said is the only way out of the health crisis.

“To the last outbreak of the virus, we respond with a new wave of vaccinations. We still have difficult weeks ahead of us, but there is also the optimistic side. In the last few days, almost 200,000 appointments have been made for the first [vaccine] dose and almost 300,000 for the second,” he said.

Greece recorded a new coronavirus case record on Tuesday with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) reporting 8,613 new Covid-19 infections and 46 deaths.

“The time has come for us to become guardians of our health of those around us,” he said.

Photo source: PrimeMinisterGR

The Greek prime minister expressed his satisfaction with a meeting he had with F&B professionals and retailers, who he said, were ensuring preventative measures were being adhered to.

Lastly, Mitsotakis urged MPs, mayors and regional governors, clergy and teachers to convey the urgent need for vaccination. 

“Every day, communicate… convey to your regions that the pandemic is mainly impacting the unvaccinated. The solution is in our hands, in the hands of the shopkeeper, the mayor and the priest who should teach faith in life,” he said.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Niki Kerameos reiterated that schools will not close down despite the rise in cases, adding that the percentage of school children infected with coronavirus had dropped from 29 percent to 25 percent.