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From January 3, Greece tightens measures against Omicron

From January 3, Greece tightens measures against Omicron

Greece announced on Monday new measures aimed at curbing the coronavirus, including the spread of the Omicron variant.

The measures, which will take effect from 3 to 16 January, mainly target night entertainment facilities.

On December 27, Greece registered 9,284 new cases and 66 victims, the health ministry said.

Greek authorities said the new measures include wearing masks in grocery stores, public transport and the gastronomy sector.

Bars and restaurants must close at midnight. Also, only six people will be able to sit at the same table in bars and restaurants.

"If these measures are not respected, we will ban music (in the gastronomy sector)," Health Minister Thanos Plevris told a news conference.

Also, the Greek Government will allow sporting events to be held under the new rules, allowing only up to 1,000 people to follow various sporting events closely.

Meanwhile, citizens visiting their family or friends in care homes will be allowed to do so, as long as they submit a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours.

Greek authorities had already tightened measures last week, making it mandatory to wear masks outdoors and banning Christmas and New Year events.

"We are entering the period of the spread of the Omicron variant in Greece," said Minister Plevris.

Meanwhile in the area of ​​the Greek capital, Athens, the Government plans to ask private hospitals to help public ones, if there is an overload of patients with coronavirus.

In Greece there are already some restrictions even for unvaccinated persons, who can not participate in events that are held indoors and outdoors.

Health experts say Omicroni is more contagious than previous variants of the coronavirus, but two studies have found that this variant is likely to cause milder disease compared to the Delta variant.