Filenews 6 July 2022
The Ministry of Health clarified the decision of the Council of Ministers to return from July 8 the mandatory use of a mask in enclosed, indoor spaces.
According to the Ministry, in recent days there has been an international increase in all epidemiological indicators, as well as in the number of hospitalized in hospitals. "The increase in infections is due to the variants BA.4, BA.5. and its evolutionary variants. Specifically, according to the data of the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, from June 25 to July 5, 2022, 19,503 positive cases were recorded within the community, out of a total of 147,623 tests (positivity rate: 13%)."
The epidemiological course of the last few days raises the need to review the protective measures in an effort to stop the spread of the virus and ensure Public Health, the announcement added.
Therefore, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal by the Ministry of Health to reinstate the measure of obligation to use a protective mask indoors for people over the age of 12, as of July 8, 2022.
The following are excluded from the above regulation:
- Houses
- People who actively drink or eat,
- Persons travelling in a personal vehicle alone or with the other members of their family (including minor children),
- People during sports/physical activity (e.g. gyms, dance schools, etc.),
- Bakers/Chefs/cooks, only during baking,
- People with special cognitive abilities/mental/developmental disorders who do not comply with the application of a mask,
- People with severe neurological / neuromuscular disease that does not allow them to handle the mask
- People with anatomical maxillofacial variants/malformations and/or injury.
It is reminded that the non-observance of the measures is a violation of a Decree and the fine of €300 is borne by the citizen himself and not by the business / premises.
The Ministry of Health once again appeals to citizens to observe the personal protection measures (mask, distancing, hand hygiene) in order to prevent the further deterioration of the epidemiological picture. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee evaluates the data daily and, where necessary, measures are taken to ensure Public Health.
