“The economy and society will not close again,” said Health Minister Thanos Plevris during a press conference on the specialization of the new measures.
According to the minister, the new measures are not aimed at restricting mobility, but for those who have chosen not to be vaccinated. The NSS is under pressure but it is enduring and strengthening. “Over 85% of those who are hospitalized in the ICU or lose their lives are unvaccinated. “ICU beds have more than doubled and 12,000 staff are available,” he added.
Regarding the request, he said that an agreement has been reached with the private sector in Attica as well. “The request was a necessary measure”, said Mr. Plevris and added that “eventually we will need 80 doctors in the areas where the system is under pressure”.
Regarding the vaccination, he stated that so far the scheduled appointments are over 900,000. Also, the percentage of adults who have taken the first dose is 75%, while in the general population it is 65%.
Regarding the new measures, Mr. Plevris pointed out that they are divided into three stages.
1) Places accessible to all, such as supermarkets, pharmacies.
2) Areas with characteristics of a need, ie the open dining areas, the work, in which rolling hours will be applied (from 07:00 to 09:30), the retail trade and the temples. The retailer will have a specific schedule and in order to have access one must show a certificate of vaccination or disease, a negative rapid test or PCR.
3) Entertainment areas, such as indoor dining areas only for vaccinated, cinemas, gyms. Only those who have a certificate of illness or vaccination will have access to these places.
All minors who cannot be vaccinated are given the opportunity to access a self test.
Regarding the third installment, the minister stressed that it is necessary, while for those over 60 it will be mandatory.
Specifically, from December 13, in order to be considered fully vaccinated, they will have to take the third dose. The boosting dose will be done in 6 months while they will have a margin of up to 7 months, as then the vaccination certificate will expire.
At the same time, work is being done in order for the European certificate to calculate the third installment.
Regarding the coronavirus treatment pills, he said that “we will take whatever is approved”. In November, he said he hoped to receive the 10,000 treatments we had ordered. He clarified, however, that they concern specific categories of people, such as people who cannot develop antibodies.
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