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31 Oct 2020 | 12:59 PM UTC

Greece: Additional nationwide COVID-19 restrictions to be implemented from November 3 /update 37

Additional nationwide COVID-19 restrictions to be implemented from November 3; abide by government directives

Warning

Event

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Saturday, October 31, that additional restrictive measures will be enacted nationwide from Tuesday, November 3 and remain in effect through the end of the month, amid a recent spike in cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). From Tuesday, a previously imposed nightly curfew will be modified from 00:30 - 05:00 (local time) to 00:00 - 05:00, and restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, and gyms will be closed. Only deliveries and takeaways will be permitted during this time. Additionally, universities will be required to only operate remotely. Travel within Greece and retail stores will be unaffected by the additional restrictions. 

Exemptions from the overnight curfew include anyone in an emergency situation and those who work during the curfew hours. 

As of October 31, there have been 37,196 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Greece with 620 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:


  • Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.

  • When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.

  • If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.