The Greek government on Thursday, as widely expected, announced that a general Covid-19 lockdown will be reinstituted throughout the east Mediterranean country as of 6 a.m. local time on Saturday, and extend until Nov. 30.
The urgent measures affect practically all forms of public assembly, and close down a large portion of the retail market, with the food & beverages sectors also shut down for all but delivery and takeaway clients. Super markets, mini markets, green grocers, beauty salons and barber shops will remain open.
A curfew will be enforced from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
According to the measures announced by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, only primary schools, kindergartens and nurseries will remain open, with other educational levels to operate on an online basis.
The urgency of the measures comes after Greece recorded an exponential increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases over the recent period, along with a sharp rise in the number of people being treated for acute Covid-19 symptoms in hospital ICUs.
The single-day tally on Wednesday exceeded 2,600 – very high by Greek standards – with low double digit fatalities and nearly 190 people intubated.
A difference between March’s lockdown in the country is that hotels, industry and the wholesale sector will continue to operate.