Schools and kindergartens in Attica will remain closed on Monday and public servants can do tele-working due to snow falls and adverse weather conditions authorities announced on Sunday afternoon.
According to latest weather forecast, heavy snowfalls, sleet, powerful winds and icy conditions are due at the start of the week.
Sunday afternoon until Monday dawn – Snow forecast (very strong to strong – sleet): εκ = cm
Primary and secondary public and private schools will be closed and classes will be held online through distance learning platforms Webex, the Region of Attica and the Ministry of Education announced. The decision includes also all kindergartens and daycare centers.
Weather conditions will be evaluated and a relevant announcement made for Tuesday, authorities said.
At the same time, Greek public sector employees will work from home on Monday, said government and agency authorities on Sunday afternoon following a meeting on the severe weather phenomenon “Barbara.”
Regarding the private sector, employers are encouraged to apply also tele-working wherever possible.
Closed will be also the open farmers’ markets (laiki).
Courts will be reportedly closed in Attica, Viotia and Evia also until Tuesday.
A decision of the Secretary General for commerce, retail stores in north and north-east Attica will remain closed on Monday. Open will be supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and stores selling snow chains. They will be open until 6 p.m.
Courier and delivery services will not operate after 6 p.m. on Monday, February 6.
Note: There is a fine of €80 for motorists whose cars are without snow chains. The relevant legislation passed in September 2022.
A new sms alert was issued through the 112 emergency number to residents of Evia, Boeotia (Viotia), Fthiotida, and Magnissia in Central Greece, including the Sporades Islands, to restrict their movements to the absolute necessary. These regions of Central Greece have experienced heavy snowfall, high-velocity winds, and low temperatures since Saturday night.
Similar messages – two since Saturday night! – were sent to Attica, Athens and some suburbs.
Dozens of police officers have been deployed across the Prefecture checking if cars have snow chains.
Snow Weather Warning by National Meteorological Service here at KTG.
The government, the Civil Protection, regional and local authorities have been reiterating that the “state mechanism” was ready to deal with the snow front.
Despite all preparation, part of the Athens-Lamia national highway was closed to traffic on both directions due to snow early Sunday afternoon – and has been closed until 5:10 p.m. according to state ERT TV.
Several roads in north Athens & Attica have been closed to traffic, too. Check in Greek here.
PS “Stay at Home” and “Close Roads” is the same procedure every year when state mechanism fails to clean roads from snow and take other measures in advance. We call it “personal responsibility”.
It’s all getting a bit ridiculous. 🙄
Thank you KTG for your comment as to the “why” of closing everything for this patch of weather.
Your readers who have lived in other locations are amazed at the ‘close everything’ reaction for such a small amount of snow and cold.
close everything is the cheapest solution without bothering the state mechanism