In recent days there has been an increase in all epidemiological indicators, as well as in the number of inpatients in hospitals. The increase in infections is due to variants BA.4, BA.5 and its evolutionary substrains. Specifically, according to data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, from 25 June to 5 July 2022, 19,503 positive cases were recorded in the community, out of a total of 147,623 tests (positivity rate: 13%).
The epidemiological trend of recent days raises the need to review protective measures in an effort to halt the spread of the virus and safeguard public health.
Therefore, the Council of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Health to reinstate the measure requiring the use of protective masks indoors and outdoors for persons over the age of 12 from 8 July 2022.
The following are exempt from the above regulation:
- Households,
- Persons actively drinking or eating,
- Persons travelling in a personal vehicle alone or with other family members (including minor children),
- Persons during sport/physical activity (e.g. gyms, dance schools, etc.),
- Bakers/cooks, only during baking,
- Persons with special cognitive abilities/mental/developmental disorders who do not comply with mask application,
- Persons with severe neurological/neuromuscular disease that prevents them from handling the mask,
- Persons with anatomical maxillofacial variations/malformations and/or injury
- Persons with anatomical maxillofacial variations/malformations and/or injury.
It is recalled that failure to comply with these measures constitutes a violation of the Decree and the fine of €300 is imposed on the citizen and not on the business/establishment.
The Ministry of Health reiterates its appeal to citizens to comply with personal protection measures (mask, distance, hand hygiene) in order to prevent further deterioration of the epidemiological picture. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee, assesses the data on a daily basis and where necessary, measures are taken to safeguard public health.
(AF/MB/IC)
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