Thessaloniki in full lockdown for two weeks, flights suspended
Greece has imposed a two-week lockdown in the regions of Thessaloniki and Serres, in a bid to curb an alarming spread in COVID-19 cases.
The new measures that were announced on Monday by government spokesperson Stelios Petsas and will come into effect on Tuesday 6am, aim to salvage the national health system and to avert the need for a full nationwide lockdown.
Under the latest measures, people will only be allowed to leave their house for strictly essential reasons, such as for work, in cases where teleworking is not possible, for urgent medical appointments, to do the groceries and exercise, to provide aid and to attend a funeral, as well as for appointments in public services and banks. To do so, people will be requested to inform authorities through an SMS message stating their reason, except for going to work, where an attestation by the employer will be required.
A night curfew will also remain in place from 9pm to 5am, during which, movement will only be allowed for the purposes of work and health emergencies. Bars and cafes will close, along with all non-essential shops, however delivery and take-away services will be available. Cinemas, museums, theatres and fitness clubs will also close.
Contrary to spring’s lockdown, schools will remain open, however for high schools and universities, online classes are mandatory.
All non-essential international and domestic flights to and from Thessaloniki will be suspended as well.
Only on Sunday, Greece registered 1,678 new infections, bringing the total number of cases in the country so far to 40,929 since February, while it has also recorded 635 deaths so far.
