Prices for rapid tests, self tests as well as molecular tests PCR are increasing as they are now subject to a Value Added Tax rate of 6%. The VAT rate for such tests was zero soon after the coronavirus pandemic began. Rapid tests are required to be done at their …
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Suicides in Greece up 25% since 2020, says Suicide Observatory
The number suicides in Greece in 2022 increased by almost 25% relative to 2020, according to the annual suicide data reported and analyzed by the Suicide Observatory Non-profit organization “KLIMAKA”. The total number of reported suicides in 2022 was close to 600. Αnalysts note that this figure actually corresponds to …
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Rents in Greece’s major urban centers skyrocket
Rents in Greece’s major urban centers skyrocket and so do the landlords’ demands. the reasons are diverse but mainly the increase of the so-called “subjective prices” consequently the rise of property taxes as well as the rising cost of living. As incomes remain stagnant, though, access to affordable housing has …
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ECB makes large interest rate hike, bank deposits at 1.5%
The European Central Bank piled on another outsized interest rate hike aimed at squelching out-of-control inflation, increasing rates Thursday at the fastest pace in the euro currency’s history and raising questions about how far the bank intends to go with the threat of recession looming over the economy. The 25-member …
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Child abuse in Greece reaches shocking levels during the pandemic (Helplines)
Child abuse in Greece has reached unrepresented levels during the pandemic and the sexual abuse of girls has doubled when compared to the previous years, data of the Forensic Department of Thessaloniki has shown. Media reports about the sexual abuse of children pop up now almost on a daily basis …
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ECDC and EMA recommend 2nd booster shot in summer 2022
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have updated public health recommendations on the use of additional booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines this summer and in the upcoming autumn and winter seasons. The updated recommendations come amid increasing rates of COVID-19 reporting …
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Greece Ferries increase ticket prices for 3rd time in 2022 for specific routes
For third time in 2022, Greece’s ferry companies increased the ticket prices at a range of 4% to 8% on average on July 1. The hikes are only certain ferry itineraries and mainly from the port of Piraeus. From the port of Rafina, the prices of individual tickets with conventional …
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Striking hikes in taxi fares, Union SATA in Athens announced UPDATE
Striking hikes in taxi fares are underway, due to the explosive increase in fuel prices, the Taxi Union SATA announced on Friday, following a meeting with the leadership of the Transport Ministry. Τhe Union had sent a memorandum to the Ministry complaining that “taxi drivers are suffocating due to the …
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“Worrying” increase of forest fires in Greece, says the National Observatory
Τhere has been a significant and “worrying” increase in the number of forest fires in Greece in the first months of 2022 in compare to previous years, the meteo service of the National Observatory of Athens reported on Thursday. Following the extremely destructive forest fire season of 2021, the report …
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Coronavirus Greece: Viral load in sewage increased by 41%, peak next week
Viral load in sewage has increased by 41 percent last week, said Nikos Thomaidis, professor for Analytical Chemistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He warned that the peak is expected next week. The Delta strain of Covid-19 has completely disappeared while now the “Omicron 2” variant prevails which is …
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Greece’s ferries raise ticket and car prices to cope with energy crisis
Some ferry lines in Greece have already increased their ticket prices for passengers and vehicles transport due to the soaring energy prices. The raise ranging approximately 10% to 12% is in order to meet the growing operating cost due to the increase in international oil prices due to the war …
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Greek Health Expert: Two reasons for the increase of coronavirus infections
Member of Greece’ Epidemiologists’ Committee, Professor Gikas Majorkinis explained in a post the reasons for the increase in the number of coronavirus cases. According to Majiorkinis, thwere are two main reasons for the increase: the relaxation of protection measures and the prevalence of the Omicron 2 mutation. According to the …
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Justice Ministry submits draft bill with tougher penalties for serious crimes
Greece’ Justice Ministry submitted to Palriament a draft bill a series of amendments to the penal and criminal justice code. The bill submitted on Tuesday following a period of public consultation and dialogue. The provisions in the bill were first presented by Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras and Deputy Justice Minister …
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Greece raises the minimum wage by 2%, PM Mitsotakis announced
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Monday the raise of the minimum wage by 2 percent. He made the announcement during a cabinet meeting. The minimum wage increases from 650 euros gross to …663 euros. Mitsotakis made the announcement during a cabinet meeting and said that the government decided to …
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Deputy Finance Minister urges property owners to increase rents due to value hikes
Deputy Finance Minister Theodoros Skylakakis urged property owners to raise rents to meet the higher demands on taxes that result from the hikes in the real estate objective values. The unprecedented advise comes as salaries remain low and with the new labor law workers will receive day-off for overtime work …
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PM Mitsotakis sees extension of lockdown due to infections increase
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sees an extension of the lockdown, especially in Attica, due to the spike of coronavirus infections. The infections increase changes plans to open the retail sector, the months of February and March are critical because we have not built a wall of immunity. This is what …
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Archdiocese of Athens raises funeral charge by 150% amid pandemic
The Archdiocese of Athens has raised the charge for funerals from 100 euros to 250 euros overnight and thus amid the pandemic where the number of deaths has increased. According to a report by newspaper avgi owners of funeral offices stated that they were surprised to see an increase by …
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Greece to lower ENFIA tax, set property prices in coastal areas on islands
The Greek government is committed to lower the ENFIA special property tax by 8 percent, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said on Tuesday. At the same time he announced the setting of property prices in “high-value regions, mostly coast areas on Greek islands.” Speaking to “Parapolitika” FM, Staikouras gave assurances that …
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Greece increases mandatory military service from 9 to 12 months
Greece has decided to increase the mandatory military service from 9 to 12 months, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos announced on Thursday. The increase refers to conscripts in the Land Forces but not those already doing their military service. The increase will go into force from May, he said. The decision …
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Viral load in sewage shows increase of coronavirus infections in Attica
Several municipalities in Attica have recorded an increase in coronavirus infections as recent analysis of the sewage has shown. Health experts are highly concerned about this development following a relaxation of the lockdown over the Christmas and New Year days. Ten municipalities, including Perama, Keratsini and Drapetsona, are now reportedly …
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