New Covid Measures Announced in Attica After Increase in Cases

Greek officials have announced a new set of coronavirus-fighting measures for Attica, as the region has seen an alarming increase in cases and its intensive care units are now at 70% capacity.
Of Friday’s 339 cases of the virus, 164 were located in Attica, following a trend of high case numbers in Greece’s most populous region.
On Friday, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Chardalias stressed the need for quick action in Attica to prevent any further spread of the virus.
He noted that out of the 4,084 currently active cases of the virus in Greece, 2,100 of them are located in Attica alone, and 966 in Athens specifically, according to Greek news outlets.
The new measures, which are even more strict than those announced on Tuesday, will be in effect starting Monday, September 21st, until October 4th.
Public gatherings are now limited to nine people, and weddings, funerals, and baptisms can have a maximum of only 20 guests.
Concerts, in both indoor and outdoor settings, are no longer allowed, and indoor movie theaters are now closed.
Citizens over the age of 65 are urged to limit their movements to those that are necessary or urgent, and should avoid the use of public transportation. Additionally, they should limit contact with those outside of their immediate family.
People who are positive for the virus but are asymptomatic, along with vulnerable groups, such as refugees and the homeless, will be housed in hotels to maintain quarantine and ensure the public’s safety.
Addressing workplace issues — where data shows that 29.07% of cases can be traced back to — 40% of employees in both the private and public sectors must now work remotely. Anyone who can possibly work from home, should do so, according to the new measures.
In the public sector, employees will begin working staggered shifts, starting at 7, 8, and 9 in the morning, in order to avoid crowding on public transportation. They will end their shifts in a similar fashion.
Hardalias stressed that checks will take place to ensure that those who are working are following guidelines, especially the use of face masks in the workplace.
Additionally, workers in highly impacted areas who work in fields that are necessary for the function of the state or economy, such as schools, hospitals, and public transportation, will all receive Covid tests.
When the measures end, on October 4th, the situation will be reassessed once again to determine whether the measures will remain in place or not.