The exponential increase in coronavirus cases due to the "Omicron" variant and the opening of schools on 10 January was discussed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the regular morning meeting at Maximou Mansion. The final decisions will be made in the coming days, most likely on Wednesday 5 January, after the picture from the cases expected today and tomorrow, Tuesday, which -as usual- is the day of the week with the highest number of sick people.
According to information, a new meeting under the Prime Minister is scheduled for this afternoon at the Maximou Mansion with the Ministers of Education and Health, Mrs. Niki Kerameos and Mr. Thanos Plevris, on the issue of the operation of schools of all levels under the epidemiological data that have been formed. The meeting will finalise the agenda of issues that the Committee of Experts will be invited to discuss tomorrow during the first teleconference of the year.
Decisions will be taken by the government in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and after consultation with experts from the Ministry of Health. The Committee of Infectious Disease Experts meets tomorrow, Tuesday, with the main topic being the opening of schools. The number of cases, the number of admissions to hospitals and the number of patients in intensive care units, as well as the age group of young patients - to determine whether young patients belong to the age group up to 18 years - are factors that will play a key role in the decisions.
At the moment, however, there is no mature discussion of new measures, which will depend almost exclusively on the strength of the National Health System. "As long as the pressure on the health system does not increase, there is no prospect of new measures. If they are eventually taken, they will mainly affect the unvaccinated. The biggest problem is the unvaccinated people over 60 and their protection," Development Minister Adonis Georgiades told Ant1 Hellas earlier today.
After finalizing the number of sick people today and especially tomorrow Tuesday, the government will take final decisions on the opening of schools, depending on the recommendations received from experts. The intention, according to associates of the Prime Minister, is to open schools as usual on 10 January.
Besides, the prevailing perception in the government is that in the school environment Greek children are under surveillance in terms of health control, while on the contrary, outside school the risk of children catching coronavirus is greater.
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