Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Friday that the fine for violations of lockdown restrictions increases from €300 to 500 euros -an amount equivalent to the monthly minimum wage and the state support to workers on suspension contracts due to the pandemic.
Mitsotakis made the announcement while speaking at the Plenary Session in the Parliament where politicla leaders debates the measures the government took during the pandemic.
He spoke out the fine increase almost in the same sentence in which he acknowledged that “the citizens were disciplined during the holidays.”
At the same time, he pointed out at the “good epidemiological image of the country due to compliance and discipline.”
He justified the fine increase under the pretext of the safe restart of the economy and retail sector on Monday.
“The fine for offenders will be increased from 300 to 500 euros so that we can reheat the economy without endangering health with a third wave of pandemics,” he said.
The fine is imposed for violations of measures such as not wearing the mandatory mask in closed spaces and outdoors, for social distancing, being outside home with the wrong exit option, for the wrong reason or in the wrong place.
Mitsotakis added that each month of lockdown costs more than 3 billion euros.
In addition, he announced that the rent coverage for businesses is extended for one month, as well as the payment of unemployment benefits that have expired for two months.
More on coronavirus in Greece here.
Ps for the conservative, neo-liberal government “fines and police” is the paspartout solution to all problems.
If we are not allowed out apart from one of the limited reasons which need to be recorded, have to wear masks and socially distance, and presumably will still have to stay within our “geographical units”, how is this going to differ from the existing lockdown?
What’s the point of opening non-essential shops if the restrictions only allow essential shopping?
This is a serious question, I really don’t understand what is changing.