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Face-masked Greeks take first steps of freedom as coronavirus lockdown eases

Andriana Simos
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Face-masked Greeks take first steps of freedom as coronavirus lockdown eases

Greeks were finally allowed to get their hair cut, buy books and flowers, and even venture back onto beaches on Monday, as part of a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“Relaxing the lockdown is a positive step, it will give our morale a boost,” Efi Karanikolaou, a customer at a reopened hair salon, told Reuters.

“I had people coming in today to buy just a pack of gum. I guess they were just looking for a reason to get out of the house to enjoy this freedom,” added Maria, a store owner in Greece.

People in Greece returned to stores wearing mandatory or recommended face masks. Source: Greek Reporter.

Despite these positive steps, police remained out in force on buses, in metro stations and shops to make sure people were wearing protective masks and respecting social distancing rules.

On Monday, the Greek government made the use of masks mandatory or ‘strongly recommended’ in enclosed spaces such as hospitals, supermarkets and grocery stores, retail and other shops, public transport, and taxis.

Travellers not wearing face masks on trains were asked to disembark, while half of the seats in buses and trains were out of bounds.

For now, as Greece makes its transition from the “stay home” containment policy to the “stay safe” campaign, it looks like this could be the “new normal” for thousands of people across Greece.

READ MORE: Greece plans gradual relaxation of lockdown measures.

Turkey denies fighter jets harassed Greek helicopter with Defense Minister onboard

Andriana Simos
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Turkey denies fighter jets harassed Greek helicopter with Defense Minister onboard

Turkey has rejected claims by Greece that two of its fighter jets harassed a helicopter carrying Greek Defense Minister, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, on Sunday.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hami Aksoy, said the planes were conducting ‘routine flights’ in the area.

“Our fighter aircraft have performed an identification mission as part of their routine activities in the Aegean and harassment of the helicopter with Minister of National Defense of Greece onboard is out of the question,” stressed Mr Aksoy in a statement.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hami Aksoy, denied Turkish fighter jets harassed Greece. Source: Sputnik.

“There is no benefit to this country in trying to escalate tensions by dramatising routine flights.

“Instead, these issues should be taken up within the process of confidence-building measures launched between the defense ministries of both countries.”

READ MORE: Turkish fighter jets harass Greek helicopter carrying Defense Minister.

The denial comes in the face of the Greek Foreign Ministry condemning Turkey for harassing a helicopter carrying Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and Army Chief of Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, as it took off from the small island of Oinousses.

The Turkish fighter jet harassing a Greek helicopter. Source: Greek Foreign Ministry.

At the time, the Greek ministry called on Turkey to respect established rules instead of ‘systematically violating them.’

Relations between the two countries are strained over multiple issues including Ankara’s decision earlier this year to re-open its border with Greece for refugees trying to reach Europe.

Greek PM: ‘Best-case scenario’ is we will reopen for tourism on July 1

Andriana Simos
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Greek PM: ‘Best-case scenario’ is we will reopen for tourism on July 1

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said in an interview on Monday he had high hopes the tourism season would start July 1, as the Greek economy is more than 20 percent dependent on tourists.

However, he also stressed the exact date would depend on airlines and the implementation of strict health protocols in foreign flights.

“Best-case scenario is Greece is open for business July 1, and we’re working towards that. The real question is will we be able to have tourists come in the later parts of the summer,” Mitsotakis told CNN.

Asked whether this will be possible, he responded: “Only if we agree to very specific protocols. Hopefully at a European level.”

Greek airports are typically bustling with people but this year might be different. Source: AFP.

The Greek Prime Minister then went on to describe the potential conditions that will allow entry into Greece. These included people getting tested before they fly out followed by monitoring once they arrive, either with an antibody or a PCR test.

“The tourism experience this summer may be slightly different from what you’ve had in previous years, with more social distancing, maybe no bars open,” Mitsotakis explained.

“But you can still get a fantastic experience in Greece provided that the global epidemic is on a downward path.”

Full Interview:

Greek-American couple succumb to COVID-19 within days of each other

Andriana Simos
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Greek-American couple succumb to COVID-19 within days of each other

George and Kaliope Papazicos are among the thousands of New Yorkers who have succumbed to the coronavirus.

The couple, who lived in NY’s Garden City for 28 years, died four days apart in a New York hospital. George, 64, died on April 4, and his wife, Kaliope, 62, died on April 8.

In a post on Facebook, their daughter Christine Papazicos Sabato, said she ‘never imagined’ COVID-19 would impact her family and is now adjusting to her ‘new reality.’

George (far right) and Kaliope (far left) are remembered fondly by their daughter Christine (centre). Source: Christine Papazicos Sabato / Facebook.

“Last Saturday we sadly lost my father due to complications of the COVID-19 virus, and 4 days later on Wednesday, my mom also lost her battle with the virus,” she wrote.

“All I can say is what our family is going through, we wouldn’t want anyone else to experience. Please continue to keep your loved ones close and never miss the chance to tell them you love them.

“Live each day with kindness and passion, as my parents did.”

George and Kaliope (left) with their daughter and son-in-law. Source: Christine Papazicos Sabato / Facebook.

According to an obituary in Newsday, George and Kaliope Papazicos met in 1976 when they were both working as camp counselors at a Greek American camp for at-risk children in New York.

The rest is history. They fell in love, married, raised two daughters, settled on Long Island and were inseparable for 42 years until their recent death.

Both were devoted to their church, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul in Long Island, and held leadership roles in parish councils and various auxiliary groups.

Free psychological support for Greek diaspora offered by Melbourne institute

Andriana Simos
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Free psychological support for Greek diaspora offered by Melbourne institute

The Cairnmillar Institute in Melbourne is offering free counselling and mental health services in Greek during the coronavirus crisis, to support Greek migrants and those who speak Greek as their mother tongue.

The Hellenic Community of Melbourne released a statement today in support of the psychological support program, explaining that it will provide essential support to struggling individuals.

“Through this program, people will get free access to counselling sessions by phone or conference call with provisional psychologists,” the statement reads.

“For the Greek community, this program is also offered in Greek. You do not need to have a medical plan or paper from a doctor. You can simply call 1800 391 393 and request an appointment with Ms Myrto for the Greek support program.”

The Cairnmillar Institute is offering psychology sessions in Greek. Source: Cairnmillar Institute.

Director of the Greek support program, Ms Myrto, said the sessions are offered to all Greeks in Australia and can be accessed from anywhere in the country.

“Especially at this time of year, with the COVID-19 crisis, our mental health needs to be at the forefront, and access to psychological support services is very important, especially for those in need,” Ms Myrto stressed.

“This program was launched in Greek to provide such services in the mother tongue of those who do not have easy access to these services due to a language barrier or different culture.”

For more information please email: clinic@cairnmillar.org.au or visit the website here.

Greece opens border to almost 10,000 Albanians due to seasonal workers shortage

Andriana Simos
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Greece opens border to almost 10,000 Albanians due to seasonal workers shortage

Greece and Albania have signed an agreement paving the way for thousands of Albanian citizens to work in Greece’s agriculture sector, despite the coronavirus restrictions.

The two countries had shut their borders in March to prevent the virus from spreading.

But this new agreement, approved on Friday, will allow up to 10,000 Albanians to move into Greece without visas, starting mid-May.

“For the first time, the whole process of obtaining the necessary documentation will be free of charge and immigrants will not have to be provided with a work visa, thus saving time and payments for consular actions,” a statement from Albania’s Socialist Party reads.

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis (left), and Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama (right), have reached an agreement on seasonal workers. Source: Independent Balkan News Agency.

“The terms of the agreement have also provided for measures to comply with the security protocols around COVID-19 protections.”

The move follows concerns expressed by Greek farmers who claim that a lack of land workers will threaten this year’s food production in Greece.

Greek farmers typically need 50,000 fruit and vegetable pickers in May. Usually those hands come from neighboring Albania and fellow EU members, Bulgaria and Romania.

Greek community in Canberra restores hail-damaged church

Andriana Simos
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Greek community in Canberra restores hail-damaged church

The Greek Orthodox Community & Church of Canberra (GOCCC) have been busy restoring their hail-damaged local church to ensure it returns to ‘its former beauty and glory’ when churches reopen to the public.

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra sustained severe hail damage in January 2020 and according to the Community’s President, John Loukadellis, the coronavirus restrictions on churches were the perfect chance to work on restorations.

“We have taken this opportunity to proceed with our church restorations and ensure that once churches re-open to the public, St Nicholas will be restored to its former beauty and glory,” Mr Loukadellis told The Greek Herald.

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra is under construction. Source: GOCCC.

“We have also provided the ability for parishioners to purchase candles and make donations online.”

Mr Loukadellis then thanked Parish priest, Father Petros, the Community’s committee and members for their continued support.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our priest Father Petros for all his continued support of our community,” he said.

“Thank you to our committee who are giving 100 percent of their volunteer hours to ensure the growth of our Hellenic culture in ACT, and to all our members and friends for their continued support, love and generosity during this time.”

The church sustained severe hail damage in January 2020. Source: GOCCC.

Greek-owned Sutherland Shire Auto Centre destroyed by fire in Kirrawee

Andriana Simos
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0
Greek-owned Sutherland Shire Auto Centre destroyed by fire in Kirrawee

A fire erupted at the Sutherland Shire Auto Centre in Sydney’s south overnight, destroying businesses and storage units.

Firefighters arrived at the scene in Kirrawee to find the three level building well alight and smoke billowing from the roof.

More than 50 firefighters managed to get the blaze under control, with no injuries reported. Investigations are underway to find the cause of the fire.

Directors of the Centre, Peter and Sonia Paloumpis, said on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that Sutherland Shire Auto Centre will be temporarily closed” as they look “for a shop to work out of to keep the Aussie dream going for everyone.”

“Our customers support has been phenomenal and your loyalty is important to us during this tough time.”

BUSINESS UPDATEIt is with great sadness that Sutherland Shire Auto Centre will be temporarily closed as the building…

Posted by Peter Paloumpis on Sunday, May 3, 2020

Greece transfers almost 400 migrants from Lesbos camp to mainland

Andriana Simos
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0
Greece transfers almost 400 migrants from Lesbos camp to mainland

Greece is transferring hundreds of migrants from a camp on Lesbos island to mainland facilities, as part of efforts to ease overcrowding during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to police officials, 395 migrants were moved from Moria camp on Sunday evening and will arrive at Piraeus port in Athens on Monday morning.

Migrants board a ferry at Mytilene port to be transferred from Lesbos island to the Greek mainland on Sunday. Source: AFP.

This is the first massive transfer of migrants from the overcrowded camp since the start of lockdown, which was imposed by the Greek government on March 23 amid the COVID-19 crisis.

READ MORE: Doctors launch #SOSMoria initiative to evacuate Greek refugee camp.

The move comes in the face of calls from the European Union and non-governmental organisations for Greece to ‘act immediately’ to ease the pressure in camps on its Mediterranean islands.

Migrants, outside Moria camp, waiting to board buses to Mytiline port. Source: AFP.

Although Athens had initially opposed this move, citing the limited number of cases in the camps, Greek Migration Minister, Notis Mitarachi, recently said the government now plans to move around 2,000 migrants from camps.

“The goal is to transfer about 2,400 from island camps to mainland Greece,” Mr Mitarachi stressed.

As of Sunday, Greece had 2,626 confirmed cases of the virus, with 144 deaths.

Turkish fighter jets harass Greek helicopter carrying Defense Minister

Andriana Simos
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0
Turkish fighter jets harass Greek helicopter carrying Defense Minister

Two Turkish fighter jets engaged with and harassed a helicopter carrying Defense Minister, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, and the Chief of the National Defense General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, on Sunday.

The minister and chief of staff were visiting the islands of Oinousses, Agathonissi and Farmakonissi. The incident took place after the helicopter took off from Oinousses.

The Turkish fighter jet harassing a Greek helicopter. Source: Greek Foreign Ministry.

The Turkish fighter jets were intercepted by Greek fighter jets and withdrew to their air base in Bandirma in North-West Turkey.

In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry condemned the incident and described the harassment as “unacceptable.”

“This is yet another unacceptable Turkish action. An action that once again confirms the negative role Turkey is playing in the region through its persistence on anachronistic approaches to international relations, and on violations of international legality that lead nowhere,” the Ministry wrote.

Minister of Defense in the Greek helicopter. Source: Greek Foreign Ministry.

“We call on Turkey to enter the 21st century and to follow the example of Greece and the other countries of the region, by working constructively within the framework of the rules of good neighbourliness.”

The Ministry of Defense has provided photos of the incident, including the ones above.

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