A cancer patient on wheelchair, her daughter and the staff of an ambulance were fined each with 300 euros for traveling from one regional unit to another during the lockdown. The group was returning to Veria from Thessaloniki where the patient had undergone chemotherapy. The ambulance of a private medical …
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Christmas: Up to 25/50 believers in churches, up to 9 people in family gatherings
The conservative Greek government could not resist to the pressure of the Greek Orthodox Church and made concessions allowing one more service over the Christmas holidays and the increase of number of the participating faithful. The concessions to the Church leadership and a part of the voters’ body came after …
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Greece welcomes U.S. sanctions against Turkey
Greece has welcomed the US sanctions against two ministries and three officials of Turkey announced by the State Department on Monday. Greece welcomed the announced US sanctions against the top Turkish defense development body, its president and three employees. In a statement, the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry said, “Greece, a …
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United States sanctions Turkey over Russian missiles S-400
The US State Department announced on Monday that it imposes sanction to Turkey for the purchase and testing of Russian S-400 missiles. The sanctions are imposed under CAATSA 231. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a tweet that Turkey’s S-400 system risks U.S. military technology and personnel and …
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Church to use the Poor Fund to pay €1800 fine for opening illegally
The Metropolis of Mesogaia in Attica announced that it will use the fund for the poor in order to pay the fines of 1,800 euros imposed by police. On Sunday, the gates of a church in Koropi, East Attica, were opened to the faithful although that is forbidden under the …
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Greece’s Civil Aviation notam for 3-day quarantine for flight passengers
Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued a Notam extending measures to protect airline passengers and the public from Covid-19. The measures include a mandatory three-day quarantine for anyone entering the country. In an announcement, the CAA said that all passengers entering Greece from abroad, including from European Union member-states, between …
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Gov’t announces restrictions for Christmas gatherings; nail-shops open again
Greece’s Government spokesman announced on Monday rules for celebrating Christmas and New Year and also the re-opening of nail-shops as of Tuesday, December 15. Gatherings at home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as well as on New Year’s Eve and New Year Day will be limited to a maximum …
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Two men arrested on Rhodes, charged with espionage in favor of Turkey
Greek authorities have arrested two Greek men and charged them with espionage in favor of Turkey. They are accused of videotaping and taking pictures of warships and high- security installations such as military bases. One of the suspects works as secretary at the Turkish Consulate on the island of Rhodes. …
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Biggest Nativity scene in Europe is set up in Thessaloniki (video)
A big Nativity scene has been set up in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, a construction claiming to be the biggest in Europe. Its facade is 15 meters long and it covers an area of 50 square meters. The Nativity scenery does not include only the Holy Family, the angels, the Three …
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3-day quarantine for travelers to Greece from abroad during Christmas
The quarantine for those coming from abroad to Greece during the Christmas period is limited to 3 days from 10 originally announced. The measure is valid from 18. December 2020 until 7. January, 2021. “Compulsory preventive quarantine for those traveling from abroad to Greece and entering the country from December …
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Click-away: How to do your Christmas shopping in Greece
Retail stores that are not allowed to open during the Christmas holidays can operate with click-away service, Greece’s Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis announced on Friday. The service is for shops with separate entrance but not for shops in malls or big shopping centers. The measure is in force from 13. …
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Greece ‘s limited re-opening measures over Christmas holidays
Most retail shops will remain closed over the Christmas season but hairdressers and bookshops will open under strict safety rules, Greek authorities announced on Friday morning. Churches will open for the faithful only twice on December 25th and January 6th. Night curfew will be shorter during the festive season and …
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“Acropolis flooded”: First time in 2500 years due to cement paths (videos)
The Acropolis of Athens has been flooded on Thursday following a heavy rainfall. The downpour was certainly not the first and not the last one in the 2,500 years of existence of the ancient monument. But it is certainly the first time since the 5th century BC that the archaeological …
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Greece to lend Antiquities, “entire monument” to museums abroad up to 50 years
Greece’s Culture Ministry has submitted an amendment stipulating the export of museum collections including antiquities and even “an entire monument” to museums or “similar places” abroad for a period of up to 50 years. According to the amendment, the collections can be lent for 25 years that can be renewed …
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Amnesty International calls for end of police violence, impunity in Greece
Amnesty International is calling for the end of police violence and officers’ impunity in Greece following the recent excessive use of force or the use of illegal force. In its call the Greek chapter of AI urges people raise their voices and to sign a petition that will be sent …
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Greece’s new prices for PCR and Rapid Tests at private laboratories
The new significant lower prices for molecular PCR tests and Rapid tests at private laboratories lasted less than week after the Development Ministry announced them. The Ministry quickly bowed to the strong reactions of the sector that threatened to stop carry out such tests. 10 euros were added to the …
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Relatives of Covid-19 patients who died off ICU in N. Greece seek justice
Relatives of patients who died of Covid-19 in hospitals in northern Greece are examining the legal options to to appeal to Justice. The patients have died in normal Covid-19 wards in hospitals in Thessaloniki and other cities in the north of the country. The relatives want to know whether their …
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Greece extends part of lockdown restrictions until Jan 7, 2021
Greece extended part of the lockdown restriction until the first week of the new year. Schools, courts, restaurants, recreation and sports activities, including ski resorts, will remain closed until January 7, 2021, government spokesman Stelios Petsas announced on Monday. The night curfew will remain in place and so will the …
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“Holy Communion shields us against Covid-19,” says Xanthi Bishop, opens churches defying lockdown
The Bishop of Xanthi Panteleimon decided to revolt against the lockdown measures and opened the churches on Monday thus allowing the faithful to receive the Holy Communion. Panteleimon’s decision has caused concern in the local community as the region in north-eastern Greece is one of the most hit by the …
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Hospitals under strong pressure, 82% of ICU beds occupied, says Greece’s Health Minister
Greece’s public health services and hospitals are still under strong pressure from the novel coronavirus, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Monday. Speaking to Skai TV, Kikilias said that the country has been in lockdown for a month and that, “out of a total of 1,305 ICU beds that we …
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