Greece confirmed 2,604 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, with 11 of these identified at entry points to the country, reported the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) on Thursday.
There were also five deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death tally to 12,875 people.
In light of the continued high numbers, all unvaccinated staff in food and tourism in Greece need to be tested twice weekly for coronavirus, the government announced on Thursday.
At a regular briefing, Greece’s Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said the results of a rapid test and a self-test will need to be entered into the Ergani labor platform. He did not specify when the measure would go into effect.
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This measure was initially announced for the same sectors on 15 July at six popular tourism regions of Greece – including Mykonos, Santorini and Paros – and went into effect the following Saturday (17 July).
The temporary social restrictions introduced on the tourist hotspot of Mykonos will run through to 27 July. Mr Hardalias said that the restrictions appear to be effective as current figures show that the infection rates are stabilising, however the continued restrictions would be reviewed over the coming days.
Doctor Vana Papaevangelou, a member of the Health Ministry coronavirus committee, said at the briefing that the spike in new infections observed in the country during the previous week is on decline.
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COVID-19 is still spreading throughout Greece with the average age for new infections is now 26 years, Dr Papaevangelou noted. She also said that hospitalisations have increased by 70 per cent, but these is no corresponding increase in patients who require intubation.