Greek PM claims infection jump ‘not linked’ to tourism reopening

·

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday that the source of the COVID-19 infection jump comes largely from the younger generation.

“We tried many plans but they were betrayed by the behavior of some people,” he said during a debate about the government measures to contain the virus.

“We know today what were the sources of the outbreaks. We are saying this to explain to society that these behaviors create a public health problem for everyone. The main source for the spread was the entertainment of young people.”

EUROKINISSI / GIORGOS KONTARINIS

He said reistating a lockdown “was not an easy choice” because apart from implementation, the measures also need to be adapted.

He also defended the government’s decision to reopen to tourism in July without compulsory testing for all arrivals, arguing that if health authorities had conducted PCR test on all arrivals Greece would have ended up with 10-20% of the tourism it actually had.

He insisted that the jump in infections “is not linked” with the opening of tourism this summer. “Countries that remained completely closed, such as Israel, saw a second outbreak of the coronavirus in September. Cyprus has had stricter procedures and is being hit just as hard,” he said.

Mitsotakis admitted that tougher restrictions should have been taken a week ago in Thessaloniki to avoid the rampant spread of the virus.

“We could have imposed the use of face masks everywhere earlier, limit the evening entertainment earlier, take measures in Thessaloniki earlier,” he said.

Sourced By: Ekatherimini

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

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

50 years since the restoration of democracy in Greece: Political constipation and toxicity

After the restoration of democracy in Greece in July 1974, Greece experienced 24 different governments with 17 persons as prime ministers.

Cyberwar reportedly declared between Greek and Turkish hackers after Greek website hacked

Turkish hackers are allegedly responsible for an attack on a website of the Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace on Tuesday.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros urges for sexual harassment review recommendations to be implemented

“This cannot be swept under the carpet – not in today’s environment and not while I’m around,” she says in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on Monday.