Νews in brief
Anticipation is running high in Greece as the European Commission is poised on Wednesday to propose a process in phases for the restoration of free movement in the European Union.
For its part Athens has sent a non-paper to the EC, calling for the lifting of restrictions on travel between EU member-states until June 15 “where possible.”
It said travelers should be tested for the coronavirus or antibodies in the country of origin at a maximum of 72 hours before setting off on holiday.
At the same time, it said the obligation for a test could be lifted for travelers from member-states which have “demonstrated clear and persistent evidence” that the pandemic is under control.
Meanwhile, the technical details were being finalized on Tuesday on a bilateral agreement in principle between Greece and Israel which may allow the arrival of up to a million Israeli tourists when flights between the two countries resume.
At the same time, the European Commission is reportedly expected on Wednesday to propose the complete lifting of restrictions between member-states where the pandemic has been brought under control, which is seen as a positive development for Greece given its performance.
Churches reopen with strict rules for regular services but ceremonies like baptisms and weddings. Rules be effective until June 5, when they will be reviewed by the authorities.
The government has set limits, saying that only one person will be allowed inside churches per 10 square meter of their surface area and a distance of 1.5 meters at least must be maintained at all times between clerics and members of the congregation. A maximum of 50 people will be allowed in places of worship that have an area of more than 500 square meters.
The decision also advises the use of masks but makes the use of antiseptic hand gels or wipes mandatory for everyone entering a church or other religious venue.
Travel between prefectures and to Crete will be allowed as of May 18, Civil Protection Deputy Minister for Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said on Tuesday, adding that travel to islands is under consideration.
At the thrice-weekly live meeting on the coronavirus developments in Greece, Hardalias said the government’s intention is to allow travel to the islands on May 25, but this decision will be not confirmed until the middle of next week.
The Ministry of Health announced another 18 new coronavirus cases in Greece, bringing the total of infections since the start of the outbreak in the country to 2,744.
Fatalities since the beginning of the outbreak total 154, with a 53-year old man being the latest victim of the virus.
A newly revised coronavirus mortality model predicts more than 147,000 Americans could die from Covid-19 by early August, up nearly 10,000 from the last projection, as restrictions for curbing the pandemic are increasingly relaxed, researchers said on Tuesday. The current US death toll stands at 82,376.
And the weather forecast…
Very high temperatures for the season, and dust coming from Africa are the characteristics of the weather.
Sunny in Attica today with the temperature expected to reach a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius.
