In order to deal with the constantly rising numbers of the new Omicron variant in addition to Delta still ravaging through the population, Greece’s government announced on Monday a slew of further restrictions.
The measures will come into effect on 3 January and will continue to be in place until 16 January and further notice.
The country recorded 9,284 new COVID-19 infections including the Omicron variant, in the last 24 hours until 3pm (Greece time) on 27 December.
Health services also recorded 66 deaths, with hundreds remaining hospitalised.
Minister for Health Thanos Plevris has made high-protection masks compulsory at supermarkets, public transport and eating establishments. In fact, the requirement is double masks where no N95 masks are available.
“We are entering the (period of) prevalence of the Omicron variant in Greece,” Mr Plevris said, announcing that bars and restaurants will have to close at midnight and no standing customers at entertainment venues will be allowed.
“If we find that these measures are not complied with we will ban music (at entertainment venues),” he said stressing that no more than six people per table will be allowed.
All festivities and public events have been banned while attendance of sporting events has also been limited to 10 per cent of capacity or an upper limit of 1,000 people.
Moreover, visitors at elderly care facilities will be permitted only with a negative PCR within 48 hours as private sector hospitals are being called to assist the public health system undertaking extra hospitalisations.
In Greece, unvaccinated persons are excluded from using outdoor or indoor venues.
