Greeks to spend Christmas in lockdown after restrictions extended until January 7

·

Greece on Monday extended its lockdown measures until January 7 to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

In a televised briefing, government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, said the health system was still under enormous pressure and some restrictions should not be lifted until next month, including a night curfew and movement between regions.

Schools, restaurants, bars, courts and ski resorts will also remain closed until that date, Mr Petsas said.

The owner of a shop selling Christmas decoration products wears a protective face mask at the entrance of his shop, during the coronavirus pandemic, in Athens, Greece, December 7, 2020. Photo: Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis.

By the end of the week, the government will make further decisions on the operation of churches, hair salons and the retail sector.

Greece has registered 115,471 cases of coronavirus and 3,092 deaths in total.

The country had to enforce a nationwide lockdown in November, its second this year, after an aggressive surge in COVID-19 cases. It has extended it twice since then, most recently until December 14.

10-day preventive quarantine for those returning to Greece from abroad:

During the same televised briefing, Mr Petsas confirmed that travelers returning to Greece from abroad will be placed in 10-day preventive quarantine. The measure will be in effect from 18 December 2020 until 7 January 2021.

He stressed that the 10-day quarantine will be an additional measure to the Passenger Location Form (PLF) and the negative molecular COVID-19 test carried out 72 hours before arrival.

This move was made in an attempt to restrict transmission of the coronavirus over the holiday season.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Latest News

Thousands gather at St George Thebarton Hellenic Festival 2026

Thousands gathered at St George Greek Orthodox Church over the weekend for the 2026 Thebarton Hellenic Festival.

Battle of Crete Council marks ANZAC Day with strong community presence

The Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council of Victoria actively participated in this year’s ANZAC Day events.

Cypriots for ANZACs: Placing Cyprus’ wartime legacy on the map in Sydney

The 2026 ANZAC Day march in Sydney provided a platform for communities to represent their wartime histories within the Australian narrative

ANZAC Day with a Greek heart at Melbourne’s Hellenic RSL

ANZAC Day in Melbourne became a moving tribute to memory, sacrifice and the enduring bond between Greek and Australian service histories.

Strong Greek presence marks ANZAC Day commemorations in Sydney

Members of the Greek Australian community joined veterans and thousands of spectators in central Sydney to mark ANZAC Day.

You May Also Like

Alumni excellence celebrated in style at Oakleigh Grammar

Oakleigh Grammar has inducted two more former students into the prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame.

Restoring Balance: IWD event in Sydney to honour Hellenic women leading change

The Greek Festival of Sydney, in collaboration with The Greek Herald, will present its third International Women’s Day event in 2026.

Beating the odds: How a young Natalie survived blood cancer

When Natalie Hunt was 21, she was given the news that shocked her. As a fit, healthy young woman, she was not expecting to be diagnosed.