Greece’s Civil Protection announced Thursday evening tough measures to contain the spread of coronavirus over the long Easter weekend. Fines for motorists will double and the measure is expanded throughout the country.
From 9 o’ clock on Resurrection Saturday evening (April 18) until 00:00 Monday midnight (April 20) the fine for motorists across the country will be 300 euros and license plates will be removed if they are caught to move necessarily. The fine for the passenger will remain at 150 euros.
With banks and supermarkets closed, motorists have no reason to move around, authorities must have thought.
“The only exception is for people assisting others, but limited to the driver and one passenger. For any violation of the rule, fines are 300 euros for the driver, 150 euros for every passenger, and removal of car plates temporarily,” Hardalias said obviously forgetting that people may need to seek a pharmacy on duty or seek a hospital or even go for dialysis on Monday.
At the same time, those moving around and who have tipped “B4” option on movement permits for “help to people in need” will be scrutinized with regards to “departure” and “destination.”
“We are going through Passion Week, which is nothing like the ones we have experienced in the past. We thank those who will live Easter in harmony with the laws,” head of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias said. He added with regards to One in ten Greeks who said in survey that they will go to Church for the Easter services that “one in ten want to go beyond the limits and are ready to destroy everything.”
He reminded that churches are closed for the public and so are the cemeteries on Good Friday.
According to state-run news agency amna, a joint ministerial decision extended the closure of churches and places of worship will be closed until April 28, 2020.
In the same live briefing on Thursday evening, health authorities announced 15 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, and 3 new deaths.
The number of total infections stand at 2,207 and the death toll at 105.
69 patients are intubated in hospitals’ intensive care units. The average age of these patients is 68 years, and 13 of these are women. 83% of ICU patients have underlying health issues or are at least 70 years old.
A total of 33 people have been discharged from ICUs, so far.
it it the third consecutive day, where the new cases are gradually declining.
The Greek government is slowly considering to gradually start lifting the lockdown restriction measures. Crucial dates for lifting decision are the April 27th and May 4th.
