Greece considers tightening lockdown restrictions after tourists bring spike in coronavirus cases
Greece could tighten lockdown restrictions after a spike in new coronavirus cases following the return of tourists.
The Hellenic Republic reopened to foreign visitors on 15 June. By 18 June, World Health Organisation (WHO) figures revealed a rise in cases of 293 per cent.
There are currently more active cases of Covid-19 in Greece than at any other point during the pandemic, with 2,236 people reported to have the virus.
And, on 11 July, 60 new cases of the virus were recorded, the highest daily number since 21 April.
Since reopening its borders, local health authorities have reported that more than 100 tourists have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 10 days alone, according to the Greek community newspaper Neos Skosmos.
Health officials in the country are reported to be particularly concerned about the number of asymptomatic cases among foreign visitors.
Greece had given UK holidaymakers the green light to return to the country, with direct flights from Britain due to resume on 15 July.
However, it’s possible that Greek authorities may reintroduce stricter lockdown restrictions after the spike in Covid-19 infections.
Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas was quoted in local media as saying on Friday: “We have said that the government’s priority is the safety of workers, residents and visitors. The increase in imported and domestic cases sounds the alarm… the coronavirus is here and is fed by unacceptable phenomena of laxity.”
Neos Skosmos quoted Petsas as saying that the spike was not a surprise.
“We knew from the beginning that when we gradually opened the country’s gates to the world, we would have imported incidents,” he said, adding that the country is “determined to protect the majority from the frivolous few”.
New restrictions could be announced as early as today, it reported.
This could mean travel restrictions for those from countries with high infection rates and tougher border checks.
The Independent has approached the Greek tourist board for comment.
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