Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris said that after Easter there will be an easing of measures against coronavirus. This period will last, tentatively, until September, when the council will meet again to discuss plans to combat covid for the coming winter.
“We can’t say we’re going back to our pre-Covid life because the coronavirus is still here. It’s just that from May there will be further de-escalation,” he said, adding that at the moment, for vaccinated citizens, almost all measures have been canceled, with the exception of wearing a mask.
As Mr. Plevris noted in an interview with SKAI, it is being considered that in the summer we will see a plan for access to the premises, perhaps without a certificate, but with some other conditions.
“Vaccination certificates are valid as a document of European movement. A plan is being considered that in the summer, when the population is mostly outdoors, it will be considered whether (and where) a certificate demonstration is needed.
The mask will accompany us for a long time
However, the minister delayed the removal of the mask, pointing out that this is a relatively mild restriction associated with visiting indoor spaces or crowded places. “So we can be more careful. There is no need to rush,” he stressed. The Minister of Health clarified that in any case, we are talking about the suspension of measures and their complete review in September.
Celebration period Easter little will change from today’s state of affairs. “At vaccinated population full freedom of movement – both indoors and outdoors, gatherings are not prohibited. Undoubtedly, recommendations will. However, we we will not impose restrictions. It would be absurd, since people go to nightclubs without restrictions, to set a limit now,” he said.
Vaccinations in Europe
With regard to vaccination, he noted that, despite the harsh measures that he is personally accused of, Greece has managed to reach the European average. “Before compulsory we had 55% in the general population and 65% in the adult population, today we have 74% and about 85% respectively, and those over 60 have 90%. So, at the moment, the goals have been achieved,” he said.
Decision pending on fourth dose of vaccine
Asked about the possibility of a fourth dose for the general population, Mr Plevris indicated that “everything is possible at the moment”, explaining that the ECDC and EMA will decide in April on when vaccination will be recommended again (and for whom). Concerning administration of the third dose to childrenhe commented that authorities have not made such a decision.
Suspension of imposing a fine from April 15, how to remove it
Regarding fines for unvaccinated citizens over 60 years of age, the Minister emphasized that the law allowed to suspend the fine, which will be done this week. “From April 15, there will be no fine, but this provision of the law will be revised in September,” he stressed and said that the abolition of the fine for those who will now be vaccinated is being discussed.
To the question about mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers, he said it was a measure in place in many countries. “As long as the pandemic lasts, they cannot return to work in the healthcare system. If the situation with covid changes, then the question of whether vaccination should become one of the conditions for hiring doctors will be considered, ”Mr. Plevris noted and specified that when recruiting, which will be announced now, medical workers vaccinated.
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