Greece goes into lockdown until 30 November

The lockdown will come into effect on Saturday, 7 November

Earlier today, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the country will be going into lockdown on Saturday 7 November. The deteriorating epidemiological situation in Greece has made the decision unavoidable as officials seek to stem the tide of new COVID-19 cases.

Striking similarities to the first lockdown

In a televised address to the nation, the Greek Prime Minister explained that the country is heading into its 2^nd national lockdown. The measures that will be in effect starting 7 November will be similar to the ones introduced in the first months of the pandemic, in March and April.

The new lockdown will drag on until 30 November as authorities aim to limit the spread of COVID-19 which has run rampant across Greece over the last few months with more and more cases being registered each day. The decision comes after a new record was set with 2,646 cases being confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Mitsotakis, he can not take the responsibility to endanger more human lives – which has prompted the government to take immediate action. The lockdown that will be introduced, however, will have a few similarities to its first iteration from earlier this year.

Most notable is the fact that kindergartens, primary schools and special educational institutions will remain open over the next few weeks. High schools and universities, however, will be forced into mandatory distance learning. Masks will also become mandatory at all times – both inside and outside, while supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.

Greece was among the countries that dealt the best with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic but the eagerness of authorities to reopen the economy and their hesitant approach to imposing tough measures have taken their toll over the last few months. By imposing a nationwide lockdown and by appealing to the better nature of Greeks, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis hopes that his country will once again quickly deal with the virus which will allow it to once again return to normal life.