Greece PM orders full lockdown in Athens after ‘worrying’ 1,526 cases

·

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday announced a full lockdown in the capital Athens to curb a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

The new restrictions in Athens, where half of the country’s population of 11 million lives, include the closure of non-essential shops and schools from Feb. 11 until the end of the month, Mitsotakis said in a televised address to the nation. 

Authorities registered 1,526 infections on Tuesday, more than double the number recorded a day earlier – half of them in the wider Athens area, with COVID-19 related deaths reaching 6,017 since the coronavirus was first detected.

The Prime Minister added that the new measures will be further specified by those in charge tomorrow Wednesday.

“The goal is to always be one step ahead of the virus. And this tactic was effective in the last ban in January,” Mitsotakis said.

Photo: Reuters

“Today, however, the danger is reappearing. Not in the form of thousands of sick and deaths, as in other European countries, but with two facts that worry us greatly.

“On the one hand, the increase of hospitalizations in Attica where the health structures are gradually filling up. And, on the other hand, the mutations of the virus that seem to accelerate it’s transmissibility.”

Greece has administered more than 400,000 inoculations so far with the Pfizer/BionTech and Moderna vaccines and is due to start vaccinating people aged 60-64 with the AstraZeneca shots on Feb. 15.

Referring to the ongoing vaccination program, Mitsotakis said that “we know that from April we will be in much better position. But now we must prevent the danger.”

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

The man for all jobs: How a Greek migrant turned setbacks into 7-figure success

When Christof Mantzanas stepped off the plane in Melbourne on 10 March 2015, he had just $1,000 in his pocket.

Jimmy’s Kitchen brings authentic Greek hospitality to The Rocks

Sydney diners can now experience the warmth, flavour, and soul of a traditional Greek taverna without the flight to Greece.

Greek Community of Melbourne enhances safety with defibrillator training seminar

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) took a notable step towards enhancing community safety by organising a defibrillator training seminar.

Wills without the Trojan War

After nearly 15 years in the legal industry, I’ve lost track of how many matters I’ve worked on involving family disputes over estates.

From tech to health: Greek Australians driving innovation in 2025

Australia’s Top 100 Innovators celebrate those who turn setbacks into breakthroughs. This year, three Greek Australians are among them.

You May Also Like

COVID-19 Australia-Cyprus Forum to compare responses to the pandemic

The Australian Alumni Association of Cyprus will present the COVID-19 Australia-Cyprus Forum with the Australian High Commission in Cyprus.

Maria Sakkari suffers straight sets loss to Sabalenka in Abu Dhabi semi-final

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus has charged past No.9 seed Maria Sakkari , 6-3, 6-2, to reach the final of the Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s Tennis Open.

Greek High Court rules that mandatory vaccinations for health workers can go ahead

A Greek High Court has ruled that mandatory vaccinations for health workers in Greece can go ahead on September 1.