ATHENS – Greece yesterday announced the closure of primary schools, kindergartens and day-care centres as coronavirus deaths crossed 1,000.
Authorities reported 2,835 new infections, taking the total to 72,510, and another 38 deaths, raising the toll to 1,035.
Since late October, the daily number of fatalities in the country of nearly 11 million has quadrupled, while the number of infections has doubled to around 3,000.
Of the total 533 Covid-19 intensive care unit beds nationwide, 366 are occupied, said authorities yesterday.
The most hard-hit area is Thessaloniki in the north, the second-largest city in Greece.
Earlier yesterday, the government announced the closure of primary schools until the end of the month.
“Closing elementary schools was the last thing we wanted to do. This is a measure of how serious the situation is,” said Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias.
Secondary schools have already closed and all lessons have taken place remotely since Monday.
Most European countries have kept schools open during the second wave of cases that has hit the continent since September, unlike in March and April, when they were shuttered during the first lockdowns.
The World Health Organisation recommends that schools be shut only as a last resort.
“The coming weeks will be extremely critical,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday.
The current restrictions started on November 7 and will last until November 30, although experts suggest that it may be extended.
Since Friday night, a curfew has been in place from 9pm to 5am across Greece. – AFP, November 15, 2020
