Greece: Stricter measures from January 3rd 2022

Stricter measures from January 3, 2022 to January 16, 2022, with the possibility of an extension, according to an announcement from the Greek Minister of Health Thanos Plevris today.

The move came after health authorities announced 9,284 new coronavirus infections for the 24-hour period ending 3 p.m. Monday, a record number that is more than double Sunday’s figure of 4,036.  The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) also announced 66 deaths, down from 79 on the previous day.  There were 629 patients on ventilators, five more than on Sunday. Of the total intubated, 84.74% are unvaccinated.

According to the announcement, as of January 3rd 2022:

• catering and entertainment venues are allowed to be open until midnight, no standing customers will be allowed and up to 6 people per table only.
• Stadiums will only be allowed 10% of their capacity, up to 1,000 people.
• Elderly homes can accept visitors only with a PCR test taken at most 48 hours before the visit.
• 50% of a company's employees need to work remotely.

The Health Minister reiterated the mandatory use of KN95 masks or double masks in supermarkets, public transport, restaurants, including all venues.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,084,153 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 20,496 fatalities. Of the fatalities, 95.2 percent had an underlying condition and/or were aged 70 or over.  Moreover, of the 9,284 new cases, 11 were detected at entry points to the country.

In the confirmed cases of the last 7 days, 192 infections are related to travel from abroad and 1,838 to other confirmed cases.

The median age of new infections is 38 years, while the median age of fatalities is 78.