Greece’s government announced the first steps toward what it called a “gradual and careful” return to normalcy after almost two months of restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Praising the “vast majority” of citizens for respecting the government’s measures, Civil Protection Deputy Minister for Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias also warned that Greece wasn’t yet out of the woods.
Hardalias said in his daily briefing that more people will test positive and more will die. But he was confident, based on advice from health and medical experts, that Greece could slowly return to normalcy.
Lockdown measures will remain in place until May 4th. The measures prohibit citizens from leaving their homes without a pre-specified reason and written or digital permission.
Hardalias explained that gradual steps will be announced over the next two months and with 14-day gaps between announcements. The minister said that decisions would always follow expert advice and that human life remains a top priority.
As of Friday, April 24 a total of 130 people have died from coronavirus in Greece with 2,490 people infected. These statistics give the country one of the lowest death rates worldwide relative to its population.
The government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has received praise for the quick measures it took to shut down the country and prevent the spread of the virus.
Earlier on Friday, Greece’s Tourism Minister also eyed a gradual opening for the country’s tourism sector, suggesting that “bilateral agreements” with certain countries could allow incoming travel as early as July.
Stay Home!
Sixteen-year-old Greek graffiti artist S.F. paints a mural inspired by COVID-19 on the roof of his apartment block in Athens. The piece features an image of the virus pathogen and a message to stay home. S.F. has been making street art since 2011 and spends all of his allowance on supplies. As Greece is now under lockdown because of the pandemic he can no longer paint in public spaces so he sticks to his building rooftop.
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