|
The Council of Ministers was
briefed on the epidemiological situation in the country and examined all
aspects of the health crisis.
The increasing number of
infections, combined with the intense pressure on the Health Services, due to
the large number of hospitalizations, does not leave us indifferent and
imposes difficult decisions and drastic measures, in an effort to stop the
spread of the virus in the community, in an effort to curb hospital
admissions, and to safeguard the provision of the optimum medical care we
offer to our fellow citizens in need.
The National Report reflects
the critical situation that exists since the upward trend of the epidemic,
the high viral load in the community and the pressure on hospitals continue.
Vaccination helps and this is reflected in the reduction of hospitalizations
for individuals over 70 years of age, but we must protect those at risk. The
only option left is to impose these strict measures that will reduce
mobility, the circle of our close contacts and positive cases.
At the same time, we cannot
ignore the anguish expressed by health professionals in the COVID wards and
the Intensive Care Units, who have borne the burden of caring for our fellow
citizens. The Health System is under intense pressure and we need to ensure
in every way that the health services provided will continue to be offered at
a high level.
In view of all the above, the
Council of Ministers decided to proceed with strict measures for a short
period, aimed at partially halting the growing transmission of SARS-CoV-2,
which could offer time to benefit from vaccination and de-escalate partially
the pressure on the Health System.
Therefore, as of Monday, 26
April 2021, at 5 a.m. until Sunday, 9 May 2021, at midnight, the Council of
Ministers decided the following:
1. Movement is prohibited from
9 p.m. until 5 am of the following day except in the following cases:
- Moving
to and from the workplace and for working purposes using the
“Confirmation for Employee’s Movement” Form.
- Going
to a Medical Centre or a Hospital or a pharmacy or a veterinarian.
2. Meetings, public gatherings
or social events, irrespective of venue (private or public space), indoors or
outdoors (e.g. squares, dams, picnic areas, marinas) are prohibited.
3. By way of exception and only
for Easter Sunday (2 May), in addition to permanent residents, persons from
only two families may be present in houses, provided that the total number of
persons in the house does not exceed 10 persons, including minors.
4. Only one movement is allowed
per person per day via a text message to 8998. Movement for vaccination
purposes against COVID-19, does not require a text message.
5. Church and other forms of
religious worship in religious places will be performed without the presence
of believers.
6. Religious ceremonies
(weddings, christenings, funerals) with a maximum of 10 persons are allowed.
7. The presence of believers in
places of religious worship is permitted for the purpose of individual prayer
and with a maximum number of 10 persons present at the same time.
8. The presence of believers in
the courtyard of the temples is permitted only for Holy Saturday (May 1st),
in compliance with the measure of distancing and the health protocol
applicable to the operation of the churches, and provided that arrangements
will be made for believers to be seated. Inside the temples, only on Holy
Saturday the presence of up to 50 people is allowed, on the basis of the
protocol. On all other days of Holy Week, the presence of believers in places
of religious worship is prohibited either indoors or outdoors.
9. On Holy Saturday (May 1st),
to facilitate the participation of believers in the Resurrection Mass, the
curfew begins at 1 a.m. (Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday) instead of 9 p.m.
Saturday night. On all other days, the curfew begins at 9 p.m.
10. Remote work in public
service is a compulsory for at least 20 % of the staff, with the exception of
essential and other services, which will be defined by a Decree.
11. For private service
providers the simultaneous physical presence of 20% of the staff is allowed,
with a minimum number of three employees and a maximum of 25 employees per
professional practice/legal entity.
12. Increase of the mandatory
rate of rapid testing on a weekly basis to 50% of employees. It is understood
that businesses/services that will have a physical presence of up to five (5)
persons, testing is mandatory for all five persons.
13. The operation of all
restaurants (restaurants, tavernas, cafes, beer bars, snack bars and bars,
cafeterias and dining areas in shopping centres, canteens and/or sports
clubs, cultural centres, clubs, unions, etc.) is suspended, with the
exception of the services related to delivery and take away. It is understood
that after 9 p.m. only home delivery is allowed.
14. The operation of open and
closed theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and event venues is suspended.
15. The operation of retailers,
other than retailers of beverages and food, or sales of essentials as defined
in the Decree, is suspended.
16. The operation of gyms,
dance schools and other sports schools is suspended. Personal training is
allowed in open spaces, where access is allowed on the basis of the Decree
with a maximum number of two persons present.
17. The operation of gambling
and betting shops is suspended.
18. The operation of barber
shops, hair salons and beauty institutes is suspended.
19. All group tutorials, as
well as sports and social activities for children under the age of 18 are
prohibited. It is understood that distance learning and teaching with a
physical presence of up to two persons, including the teacher/trainer (1+ 1)
are permitted.
As of May 10, 2021, the above
measures are lifted and the arrangements in force are reinstated, provided
that in places where there is a gathering (dining areas, meeting places,
gyms, retail shops, theatres, etc.), the visitor should carry a rapid test or
PCR valid for 72 hours or have been vaccinated with at least the 1st dose of
the vaccine three weeks before or to have been infected by the Covid-19
during the last three months. The adoption of the above regulation will allow
for easier and safer movement and return to normality.
Since the beginning of the
pandemic, the government has set only one goal; save lives and be able to
offer high-level medical care to anyone who needs it. We are at a
particularly difficult stage in this pandemic. The number of cases and the
positive rate are above the threshold, hospitalizations are increasing and
the Health System is under pressure. The State Health Services Organization
has activated a plan to provide more beds in public hospitals with the
assistance of the private sector, where other incidents are referred, but we
cannot remain indifferent to the continued increase in cases in the
community.
The epidemiological data are
burdened by the British virus mutation, which is observed at a very high rate
and contributes to an increase in positive cases especially among younger
ages.
The only way to stop the
aggressive transmission caused by mutated strains is vaccination. To this
end, we have accelerated the rate of vaccination coverage, taking into
account the rapid shielding of a larger percentage of the population, at
least with the 1st dose of the vaccine. Personal physicians who wish to do
so, can join us in this battle. With vaccination, we aim to achieve
asymptomatic and/or mild disease in patients, which in turn prevents
hospitalizations and deaths.
At the same time, a key
component for improving epidemiological indicators is the faithful implementation
of personal, social and professional protection measures. I appeal once again
to all citizens to be vaccinated without any hesitation or delay. At the same
time and until we build our immunity wall, we must continue to be careful.
Vaccination and compliance with the measures by each individual, responsibly
and in a disciplined manner, will give us our lives back. The next few days
will be difficult, and we call upon all citizens to cooperate, so that we can
succeed in this effort, as well.
The imposition of these
measures, though harsh, is necessary to bring us safely closer to the end of
this ordeal. The responsibility we have is to ourselves and to our society as
a whole.
(EK/MPO)
|
