A series of additional restrictive measures to limit the further spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the city of Athens and the wider region of Attica was announced on Friday by the Greek Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, Nikos Hardalias, include telework, suspension of concerts.
Speaking during a press briefing on Covid-19, Mr Hardalias said the measures were aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, as well as public and private sector workers in areas of Attica.
According to the latest data, Attica is currently at an "orange" level, between moderate and high impact, with about three cases per 100,000 inhabitants daily.
"The situation is growing steadily, so we have to move fast, before we reach the 'red' level," he said, adding that of the 4,084 Covid-19 cases in Greece, 2,100 are in Attica and 966 are in neighborhoods in central Athens.
Greek health authorities announced on Friday 339 new cases of coronavirus in the country, with 164 of them in Attica alone.
The new measures
The new measures announced today for Attica will be in force from Monday, September 21 until Sunday, October 4.
1. A 9-person cap has been set for all indoor and outdoor gatherings. Areas where special distance measures apply, such as restaurants, cafes and bars, are excluded from the measure.
2. Concerts in both open and closed spaces are suspended.
3. Screenings of films in indoor cinemas are suspended.
4. A 20-person cap has been set for weddings, funerals and baptisms.
5. Asymptomatic Covid-19 patients belonging to vulnerable population groups (migrants for example), will be accommodated in quarantine hotels.
Moreover, Hardalis underlined that the latest data shows that many positive cases are spread among employees of the private sector.
As he mentioned, 29.07 percent of cases concern private employees, 13.43 percent concern pensioners and 13.27 percent concern the unemployed.