Greece announced Thursday, December 23 that wearing a mask would be mandatory indoors and outdoors during the end of the year holidays, in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
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"
There is a lot of movement during the holiday season, and large crowds gather outside,
" Health Minister Thanos Plevris told reporters.
He said that wearing a mask indoors and outdoors would be mandatory "
from 04:00 GMT Friday
", and until January 2 at least.
All public Christmas and New Years celebrations are canceled, and travelers arriving in the country are urged to be tested on the second and fourth day after arrival, the minister added.
He said additional restrictions on entertainment, sports and telecommuting would be announced in the coming days for the period following January 3.
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The coronavirus has killed more than 20,000 in Greece and more than 600 infected people are currently in intensive care. The government has failed to respond to calls from health experts for additional protective measures and to impose movement restrictions, even among those vaccinated. "
The Christmas period is very important for religious, social and economic reasons,
" government spokesman Giannis Economou said on Thursday. “
It is not just the coronavirus that is dangerous in life. Bankruptcy is also dangerous, as is unemployment,
”Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis told Mega TV this week.
Although more than 16.5 million vaccines have been administered in the country of 10.7 million people, including nearly three million booster doses, authorities have struggled to persuade Greeks over the age of 60 years of getting vaccinated.
A monthly fine of 100 euros has been imposed to convince the elderly to get vaccinated at least once by mid-January.