Thank you for your reading and interest in the news Coronavirus: Greece considers new lockdowns as tourists bring wave of infections and now with details
Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Health officials in Greece are considering new local lockdowns and making mask-wearing compulsory to help stem the rising number of coronavirus cases linked to tourism.
Since Greece reopened its border to tourists on July 1, more than 100 travellers have tested positive for the virus.
Some 58 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Tuesday, with 28 of those linked to foreign journeys.
The country has already announced tougher border checks on incoming travellers as well as increasing inspections of restaurants and other tourist spots. The government is now considering making masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
Local authorities have issued warnings that guidelines meant to help control the virus are often ignored.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Athens remained “determined to protect the majority from the frivolous few".
Despite the added infections, Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias was adamant the country should continue to shore up its tourism sector.
“We all knew – ourselves and our scientists and experts – that the opening of the borders would bring a partial rise in cases,” he said on Tuesday after a meeting between government officials and health experts to determine the country’s next moves.
“On the other hand, everyone understands that with public health, medical protocols and respect for human life coming first, the economy and tourism also have to survive.”
Greece, which so far seems to have escaped the worst of the pandemic, has pressed on with reopening its tourism industry in a bid to save its economy.
Tourism accounts for nearly one fifth of the country’s GDP, employs one in 10 Greek workers and hit record highs in 2018 when, according to the OECD, 33.1 million international arrivals were recorded.
The recent rise in cases threatens to thwart the government’s efforts to salvage the busy summer season but Mr Kikilias said the reintroduction of measures to fight the virus would depend on how well the existing guidelines held up.
“It all depends on us, on our individual behaviour, on public health regulations and how we deal with any given situation,” he said.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the pandemic, Greece has reported 3,883 cases of the virus, with 193 deaths.
_______________
Toronto Police keep watch at Trinity Bellwoods Park as the province prepares for more phased re-openings from the coronavirus restrictions in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Reuters
US President Donald Trump participates in a round of golf amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Sterling, Virginia. Reuters
People in Domino Park are seen in circles painted as guidelines for social distancing during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters
A cleaning worker wearing personal protective equipment disinfects Jamaica Market in Mexico City during the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
Children return to campus for the first day as New South Wales public schools fully reopen amid the easing of the coronavirus restrictions at Homebush West Public School in Sydney, Australia. Reuters
Deacon Robert Lavanco of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, prays with Krystyna Kopacki as she kneels in the street during a procession called the Blessed Sacrament, to bring blessings to worshippers outside their homes while their church sanctuary is closed to them in the Queens borough of New York City. Reuters
Demonstrators take part in a protest in favour of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in front of the Planalto Palace, amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Brasilia, Brazil. Reuters
A street cleaner walks through the closed Broadway theatre district near Times Square following the outbreak of the coronavirus in Manhattan, New York City. Reuters
Political campaign group Led By Donkeys transport a screen showing a pre-recorded video link of Britain's Boris Johnson delivering a statement, outside the home of his senior aide Dominic Cummings, in London. AP
Some faithful greet Pope Francis as he appears at the window of the Apostolic palace after delivering his message during the Regina Coeli prayer, Vatican City. EPA
People enjoy a sunny day at the beach in Costa da Caparica, Almada, Portugal. EPA
Muslims take part in the Eid Al Fitr prayer at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters
Updated: July 15, 2020 06:45 PM
These were the details of the news Coronavirus: Greece considers new lockdowns as tourists bring wave of infections for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.
It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at The National and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.
