Greece will enter a second national lockdown on November 7 to halt a second wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced today (Thursday 5th November).
“In the last 5 days we have seen an exponential increase in cases,” the Greek PM said while addressing the Greek public in national broadcast.
Mitsotakis added that the decision for a second lockdown was taken due to a significant rise in hospitalizations, in intubations, in the number of patients in ICU (intensive care units) and the poor ratio of hospital admissions and discharges.
As of 6am on Saturday and until the end of the month, the Greeks will once again be obliged to send an sms for movement in public.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, health services and takeaway services will be in operation.
Kindergartens, primary schools and special education schools of all levels will remain open, while lessons for secondary schools and high schools will take place via tele-education.
PM Mitsotakis underlined that wearing masks at all times is strictly mandatory.
Greece’s lockdown will be in force for three weeks until November 30.
Further details on the lockdown measures will be announced at 6pm by Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.
During his speech, the Greek PM referred to new support measures for the employed and unemployed.
At 3pm Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras announced all relief measures for businesses and citizens that will be affected by the three-week lockdown measures.
The announcement of Greece’s second lockdown comes three days after new measures went in force and were to last for a month.