Greece to Announce Summer Covid-19 Plan in Coming Days

Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris. Photo © Athens News Agency

The full plan to deal with Covid-19 from May into the summer will be announced in the coming days, said Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris speaking during the 7^th Delphi Economic Forum taking place in  Delphi, this week.

Plevris said the “roadmap” will cover May and the summer period but was quick to underline that people should not get the wrong message: “the de-escalation of measures is not being decided based on economic reasons but because epidemiological data allow it,” he said.

“We’re not overlooking the pandemic, but we are entering a new regularity by lifting restrictions, however we will also be prepared for the fall, for vaccination and for a stronger national healthcare system,” Plevris said.

Also speaking at Delphi, infectious diseases professor and head of the country’s Covid committee of experts, Sotiris Tsiodras said he “hoped for the best but was preparing from the worst”, adding that more effective and lasting vaccines were needed to finally address the coronavirus pandemic.

Sotiris Tsiodras, Greek infectious diseases professor. Photo © Athens News Agency

Lastly, Tsiodras underlined the importance of sending out clear messages to prevent misinformation and learning to live with Covid-19.

Last week, Greek health authorities said Covid measures would remain as is through to the end of April and announced the opening of the platform for those wishing to get a second booster shot against the virus. Authorities also strongly recommended the use of face masks over Easter to ensure protection against the virus.

Speaking during the same event, Deputy Director-general at the European Commission, Directorate General for Health Pierre Delsaux expressed his concern that the health crisis was not over. “Nobody knows what will happen after the summer,” he said, adding that there were concerns about the possible emergence of a new variant as a result of the unvaccinated population.

Lastly, he underlined the importance of better prevention and organization and called for a unified approach to the pandemic.

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) reported 10,858 new Covid-19 cases and 76 deaths.