Hundreds of Greek healthcare workers protested in central Athens against mandatory coronavirus vaccines for their profession on Wednesday, a day after the government imposed more restrictions on unvaccinated Greeks amid a spike in infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
About 300 demonstrators chanted slogans and held up banners outside the parliament building, protesting regulations that call for unvaccinated health care workers to be suspended from their jobs.
Health care unions have said they do not oppose the vaccines but object to them being required. Vaccines against the coronavirus are compulsory for workers in Greece’s healthcare sector and those working in care homes for the elderly.
On Wednesday, a total of 6,150 new COVID-19 cases and 49 deaths were recorded in Greece, continuing the trend of elevated case numbers in the country in recent days.
But despite this, Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said on Wednesday in Parliament there will not be a new lockdown in the country.
From Saturday however, tougher restrictions would be imposed for all those who are unvaccinated.
READ MORE: Greece tightens restrictions on unvaccinated as COVID-19 cases reach record high.
Anyone without a certificate of vaccination or recent recovery from COVID-19 will need to display a negative PCR or rapid test, conducted at their own cost at a private facility, for access to a wide range of facilities, including banks, public services, shops, hair salons and entertainment venues.
Public and private sector employees will also have to take two tests per week, up from the current one, to enter their workplaces.
Around 61% of Greece’s total population has been fully vaccinated, and people age 12 and over are eligible for shots. Booster shots are available for those over 50, and will be available starting Friday to all adults who received their last vaccine dose six months earlier.
Source: AP News.
