The Greek Minister of Citizen Protection, Nikos Chardalias, announced new, stricter lockdown measures in the regions of Patra, Agios Nikolaos, Mykonos, Santorini and Chalkida Friday.
Patra, located in the northwestern Peloponnese, the Cretan town of Agios Nikolaos, and Chalkida, on Evia, as well as the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, are now all considered “red zones,” or areas where transmission of Covid-19 is particularly high.
On Friday, 78 cases were recorded in Achaia, the region where Patra is located, and 63 in Evia, home to Chalkida.
A total of 12 instances of Covid-19 were diagnosed in the region surrounding Agios Nikolaos.
Under the stricter lockdown measures, all movement away from one’s home will be limited to necessary trips only.
This means that non-essential stores in the three cities will be completely closed, even for curbside pickup. Additionally, schools will be closed in Patra, Santorini, Mykonos, Agios Nikolaos, and Chalkida.
New weekend curfew in Attica, Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki
Due to the rising number of cases of the coronavirus in Attica, Thessaloniki, and Chalkidiki, officials have put a new weekend curfew in place in those regions, starting Saturday, February 6.
The curfew will limit movement from 6 PM to 5 AM on the weekend only.
Movement from 6 PM to 5 AM is restricted to emergencies, taking pets for a walk, or going to and from work — with all the necessary paperwork completed.
During weekdays, the nighttime curfew lasting from 9 PM to 5 AM will still be in effect in these areas.
Stores closed, only curbside service in Attica, Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki
In Attica, Thessaloniki, and Chalkidiki, all schools will remain open, except for high schools, which will operate through online classes.
On Saturdays, all non-essential businesses in these areas will remain closed. Essential businesses, including grocery stores, bakeries, and pharmacies, will be open from 7 AM to 5 PM.
Farmers’ markets which are scheduled for Saturdays, however, will not take place.
Additionally, non-essential businesses in Attica, Chalkidiki, and Thessaloniki will operate on a curbside pickup basis only.
Previously, shoppers could book an appointment to go shopping in stores selling clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
Now customers will have to order all their items online or by phone, and then choose a time to pick them up from the store, a process called “click away.”
These new measures will last until February 15.
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