Mitsotakis' speech: Closing of restaurants in Attica and Northern Greece

From Tuesday morning and for one month, the country will be divided into two zones. Surveillance and increased risk. At the same time, it becomes compulsory to mask use throughout the territory and shall enter into force restriction of traffic from 12 midnight to 5 a.m.

The new action plan against the new coronavirus, which will have a duration of one month and includes stricter measures, especially in the catering sector, but also greater restrictions throughout the country, essentially a mini-lockdown, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a televised message.

In particular, the Prime Minister announced that as of Tuesday morning and for one month, the territory will be divided into two zones instead of four: Surveillance and Increased Risk.

The first includes all counties that have had relatively few cases so far, i.e. those that are currently in the «green» and «yellow» zones.

The usual measures will apply, some of which are being extended:

• Use of a mask everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Restriction of traffic from 12:00 in the evening to 5:00 in the morning.
• Application tele-working 50% in the public and private sector. And full tele-education in universities.
• No meetings.

The Increased Risk Zone includes areas that are currently not only in the «red» but also in the «orange» zone. That is, the entire Northern Greece but also the Attica, from next week.

There, the following are added to the previous arrangements:

• Suspension of the operation of all catering premises other than home delivery of food and collection from the shop.
• The same will apply to the entertainment, cultural and sports facilities: Bars, cafés, cinemas, museums and theatres, as well as indoor gyms.
• Unlike in the spring, however, travel outside the county is not prohibited.
• In other words, the new rules, which will come into force at 6:00 on Tuesday morning, focus on the two outbreaks that, according to the Committee of Experts, are conducive to the transmission of the virus: In fun and the mobility of citizens.
• Compared to the first phase, now traffic is free, without the need to send messages, while the retail stores remain open, production continues uninterrupted and schools are operating normally, i.e. as the Prime Minister stressed, it is not a universal lockdown.

It should be noted that although in Thessaloniki the celebration of St Demetrios is considered to have contributed to the explosion of cases, no measures are taken to close churches and avoid communion even in the zone of increased risk.

The model for these measures was France and Germany, where a partial lockdown is already in place.

Mitsotakis noted that these measures are being taken because it is expected that soon the strength of the government will be shaken. ESY and expressed the hope that if this dynamic plan is implemented in November, in December there will be a smoother social life and more movement in the market of Christmas.

He announced a package of support for the affected sectors and workers, with compensation, loans, exemptions and facilities that will approach 1.5 billion.

After the Prime Minister's message, there will be an on-camera briefing by Minister of Finance Christos Stakouras on the economic support measures and immediately afterwards a teleconference will be held to brief the economic editors by Mr. Minister of Labour Yannis Vroutsis, Deputy Minister of Finance Theo Skylakakis, the Secretary General for Fiscal Policy Thanos Petralias and the Secretary General for Labour Anna Stratinakis.

Late in the afternoon at 19:30, on his return from Samos, the Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias will also give a briefing on the measures to deal with the pandemic.

The Prime Minister's full message on the new measures

My fellow citizens,

I had intended to contact you yesterday. However, the earthquake in the Eastern Aegean Sea occurred and my interest immediately turned to Samos. The island held out. But, unfortunately, we lost two children. I offer my condolences to their families and a speedy recovery to the injured. My thoughts, and all of ours, are with them there. The care of the state is there. And in a moment, I'll be there, too.

Turkey also counts many victims and huge damage. I have already contacted President Erdogan. Stressing that, beyond the difficulties in our relations, the unity of our peoples is paramount in these times. Because, for us, the protection of human life transcends borders and differences. I thank him for the positive response to my call.

At the same time, however, the major threat besieging the country and the planet remains the coronavirus. A month ago I expressed the hope that we would be able to coexist with it, with precautions that would not substantially disrupt economic and social life. Unfortunately, things have not turned out that way.

My message today is one that I wanted to avoid having to do in the first place. But I am not allowed to close my eyes to the harsh reality. I must put the health and safety of Greeks above any other option. That is the duty I have and that is what I serve.

After a long period of stability, cases are increasing exponentially in our country as well. And scientists warn that, soon, the new onslaught of the pandemic will shake the strength of the National Health System. Testing not only patients, but also our doctors and nurses.

It is therefore time for political decisions. And I will talk to you about them, again in order to prevent the worst, which is already spreading throughout Europe. Only the day before yesterday, at the extraordinary European Council, we saw how difficult it is to manage the second wave of Covid-19, because everywhere the nightmare has returned with a vengeance.

Just as we managed to fend off the virus in the spring and restarted the economy and tourism in the summer, controlling the difficulties, so now we have to be proactive again. And with a dynamic plan in November to claim a more optimistic December. With, as far as possible, a smoother social life and more activity in the Christmas and holiday market.

For, indeed, in the last three months we have been going about our daily habits with only small discounts. And we did it. The figures show that, even today, Greece is among the countries with the lowest incidence in Europe.

But it would be a mistake to rest on that. For when the dramatic images of overcrowded hospitals lead us to realize the magnitude of the problem, it will be too late.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus knows how to slip through the cracks of the negligence of a few, undermining the efforts of the many. And good weather ceases to be our ally, as we will soon be spending more and more time indoors.

That is why we must act now. Now. Before the ICUs buckle under the weight of lives at stake. Now. When we have the ability to identify and track the cases.

Now. Knowing that when we take swift and targeted measures, they work. Because there are cities that within a few days are out of danger. And others, which had no problem and did nothing, and as a result, are now under threat.

It seems that we have not been able to tame the complacency of the collective success of the first phase. But the war with the coronavirus is not over. And so now we are called to another battle.

My fellow citizens,

From Tuesday morning and for one month a programme comes into force under which the territory is now divided into two zones instead of four: Surveillance and Increased Risk.

The first includes all counties that have had relatively few cases so far, i.e. those that are currently in the «green» and «yellow» zones. There, the usual measures will apply, some of which are being extended. And they are as follows:

Use a mask everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Restriction of traffic from 12:00 in the evening to 5:00 in the morning. 50% teleworking application in the public and private sector. And full tele-education in universities. No rallies. And, of course, always spacing and personal hygiene.

The Increased Risk Zone includes areas that are currently not only in the «red» but also in the «orange» zone. That is all of Northern Greece and Attica, from next week.

In particular there, the following regulations are added to the previous ones:

The operation of all catering establishments is suspended, except for home delivery and takeaway food. The same will apply to places of entertainment, culture and sport: bars, cafés, cinemas, museums and theatres, as well as indoor gyms. Unlike in the spring, however, travel outside the county is not prohibited.

In other words, the new rules, which will come into force from 6:00 am on Tuesday morning, focus on the two outbreaks that have been identified as being conducive to the transmission of the virus: Entertainment and the mobility of citizens. While maintaining the operation of industry, retail and schools throughout the country. And they remain open services such as hotels and hair salons. Because there the evidence shows that the problem is under control.

This is a necessary adaptation of our defences as the virus attack comes in waves. And we have to adapt in time. Compared to the first phase, traffic is now free, without the need to send messages. Retail stores remain open, production continues uninterrupted and schools are operating normally.

To put it differently, we are not talking about a total «freeze» of everyday life. Because I will repeat: A universal lockdown is the last step, one that would hurt the economy and society while mines the country's next day in many areas.

These are measures similar to those adopted by France and Germany, but after being hit by tens of thousands of cases. Here too, we are implementing them earlier, insisting on dealing with the virus as quickly as possible so that we always have the initiative.

Our comprehensive plan for November will be presented in detail by the relevant Ministers. And with it, an emergency programme to support workers and businesses who will be tested by the new restrictions.

I would remind you that up to now the state has been making up for the wages lost because of the pandemic. It continues to cover the insurance contributions of those who have had to work reduced hours. It has suspended almost all debts. And it has strengthened the productive fabric of the country with many financial instruments.

We will do the same now. The State has taken care to maintain reserves, as this crisis is manifesting itself on many fronts. And it will again stand by those who are facing problems now. With compensation, loans, exemptions and facilities that will approach 1.5 billion.

For if life remains a priority, it is still the economy that must be kept alive to serve it.

I know that these measures are difficult, especially for those who work in catering, entertainment and culture. I want you to know that, as last spring, we will be with you. No one, no one will be left unprotected.

And, if the measures work, we will be able, in early December, to live in a more normal environment. Even more mature and aware.

My fellow citizens,

I close as I began. From the first moment I wanted to avoid this message. But circumstances demand it. Words are running out. And with them I hope the questioning of facts will end.

So please, let us leave the scientists out of the debate. Because if we question their competence or, even worse, start accusing them of playing political games, then we are sawing off the branch on which we are all sitting.

If we lose our trust in experts, we will more easily obey the dictates of easy and simplistic slogans. And I'm not just talking about the few «sprays». But also to those who are justifiably tired of this month-long adventure.

So let legitimate political criticism be limited to politicians. After all, I am the first to take responsibility for my decisions. I did not hide in the hard times, I will not hide now. Now is the time for action by everyone and by each individual.

The State today presents its plan to keep us healthy until the vaccine signals the dawn of a bright new reality. That moment must find us standing and united. Ready to overcome this national test as only we Greeks know how. We can and we will.”.

It is recalled that on Friday a new negative record was set, with 1690 new cases and 128 more people were intubated.

The Prime Minister's message was scheduled for Friday afternoon, but was postponed due to the deadly earthquake that struck Greece and Turkey, causing the deaths of two children in Samos and at least 12 people in Izmir.