The Greek government has decided to close some of the border crossings in northern Greece and increases Covid-19 test demands in an effort to contain the rapid spread of coronavirus in the broader area.
Closed is one border crossing with Albania, while one border crossing with Bulgaria will remain open only for trucks.
“The border checkpoint of Krystallopigi closes as of 06:00 a.m. Friday morning, November 20, 2020,” government spokesman Stelios Petsas announced on Thursday.
He added that “the border crossings of Kakavia (Albania), Evzoni (North Macedonia) and Promachonas (Bulgaria) will remain open, while only trucks will pass through Nymfaea (Bulgaria).”
He added that those who enter the country, in addition to mandatory negative molecular PCR carrie dout 72 hours prior to arrival in Greece they will undergo rapid tests at the borders.
“Those who are detected as negative will be able to enter the country and be directed to their destination based on the PLF that will be submitted, Petsas said.
Regarding the epidemiological burden in Northern Greece, Petsas said that controls of compliance with the protection measures and the lockdown will intensified.
“The number of infections remains high in the area despite the lockdown,” he said and reiterated the government line blaming solely the citizens for the infections.
Mainstream media blame also seasonal workers who come to northern Greece from neighboring countries and from areas with heavy epidemiological load.
State broadcaster ERT TV reported from Crystallopigi at 3 o’ clock afternoon that fewer and fewer seasonal land workers come to the country and more are leaving Greece in order to avoid being trapped here.
It is not clear whether the border crossing will remain open for commercial transport, ERT said, adding the publishing of the relevant decision on the official gazette should be awaited.
