Eight months later, the déjà vu of Spring is back to be experienced again. The country has been in a horizontal lockdown since 6 am on Saturday 07/11, i.e. the absolute application of travel restrictions throughout the country in order to break the chain of transmission of the new coronavirus. A chain that has given rise to an exponential increase in the last week in the number of cases - deaths - beyond the estimates of the infectious disease specialists who were caught off guard by the collapse of their initial forecasts. As was the Government, whose previous measures proved to be aspirin for cancer.

The measures

The outline of the measures consists of basic guidelines concerning mandatory use of masks everywhere, the movement only for specific reasons by sending SMS to 13033 throughout the day, the Close of catering, retail trade, entertainment and amusement-related businesses and many other business sectors, the e-learning at the high school and secondary school level, as well as tightening up compliance with the measures, through sweeping controls and enforcement high fines.

The common thread of the measures is avoidance of confusion, especially at a time when people are turning indoors and the coronavirus has started to show signs of greater contagiousness than in the past, which seems to explain the «explosion» of cases in recent days.

Moving around

Throughout the 24-hour period there is a restriction on the movement of citizens throughout the country and travel is allowed exceptionally and strictly only for the following reasons - by sending SMS to 13033:

for work purposes,
for reasons of transition to school,
for health reasons,
for the purposes of transition to an operational store,
for the purpose of moving to a public service or bank,
move to assist or accompany a student to school,
going to a funeral or going of divorced or separated parents necessary to ensure communication between parents and children, and
for physical exercise or exercise for the needs of a pet or feeding stray animals within the municipality.

Especially in the evening hours, any other movement is prohibited except for reasons of work, health emergency, physical exercise near the home and movement with a pet, also in close proximity to the home, always with the sending of an SMS.

For the transfer of employees, the relevant document from the Information System Ergani is required. If for any reason either because there are problems in the system or for any other reason it cannot be ensured then the employee movement certificate available at forma.gov.gr can also be valid.

About them recruits of the following week may be accompanied by both parents only when going to the classification points. They must have their course sheet with them when they go. For their return, parents must have a certificate issued at the gates of the classification centres. At all 26 enlistment centers, all recruits will undergo rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 for epidemiological reasons.

In addition the move to hunting or fishing does not fall within one of the grounds for an exceptional movement and - like other recreational activities - is not permitted anywhere in the whole country.

Regarding those who want to enter the country, will also be required to have a negative PCR test. In particular, passengers on international flights and those entering from land borders must have a negative PCR test carried out up to 72 hours in advance. From all ports of entry, the PCR test must be 72 hours after the relevant sample has been taken. These measures shall start to be implemented from Wednesday 11 November.

Which shops remain open

Allowed all primary sector activities.

Allowed all secondary sector activities, such as industry, manufacturing.

The following activities are permitted tertiary sector:

Food shops (supermarkets, bakeries, fishmongers, etc.) operate with their normal opening hours.

Operation is permitted optical shops and shops selling hearing aids only after telephone contact on an emergency telephone number provided by the shopkeepers.

The operation of the cof outlets for the sale of telecommunications equipment only for e-commerce or telephone commerce services with home delivery (e-shop, etc.), as well as bill payment, balance renewal, repair and replacement services for mobile devices.

The following are permitted electronic or telephone commerce services with home delivery (e-shop etc.).

Permitted operation in:

Cleaners
Pavilions (24h)
Pharmacies
Petrol stations
Health services, veterinary services
pet shops

As regards the operation of the farmers' markets takes place with the participation of the 50% of traders/producers, at a distance of 5 meters between the stalls and with the suspension of the activity of industrial products.

The following also remain open building sites and construction sites.

What applies to take away

The services product supply in a package from the Shop (takeaway) and drive-through services are permitted only in the context of the reasons for citizens' travel as defined in EIA.

They are not, therefore, a separate reason movement.

In order to get something, one cannot move from one's home. If he makes use of sms exceptions, i.e. on the way to or from work or on the way to get some necessary goods can obviously make use of the take away.

What applies to hairdressers

The hair salons, barber shops and beauty centres will be able to operate on Saturday 7 November and Sunday 8 November, with the exception of the Regional Units of Thessaloniki and Serres, which have been under strict measures for almost a week and the epidemiological cycle of these measures should under no circumstances be broken. It is clarified that citizens who want to visit a hairdresser, can send an SMS with the code 2 to go.

What it closes

In addition to the hundreds of SICs relating to catering, retail and many other sectors, it also suspends the number of the number of theconducting theoretical and practical examinations for candidate drivers.

Also, the operation is suspended:

Training schools for driver training candidates,
Training Schools for Transport Operators (SEKAM) and Dangerous Goods Drivers (SEKOMEE), and
The operation of public and private MOTs with the exception of the technical inspection of heavy vehicles.
At the same time, places of worship will be closed to the faithful. Services will be conducted by religious officials without the presence of worshippers. Only funerals with the presence of up to 9 close relatives are permitted.

Exemptions from the measures

The students served by taxi in non-urban areas, for their journey to school, up to 4 people are allowed to move (with the use of a mask) with a declaration from the school director. The same applies to teachers in the same areas, i.e. non-urban areas, who are served either by taxi or by a vehicle of one of the teachers, with a parallel declaration by the school director.

With regard to Samos and Karditsa, specific measures apply in areas declared a civil protection emergency.

More specifically, for Samos alone the obligation to send SMS does not apply for the movement of citizens. Also, both in Samos (without SMS) and in Karditsa with the use of SMS, due to special circumstances imposed by the recent natural disasters, both retail and wholesale trade related to the repair of homes, businesses and farms are operating normally.

Doubling of fines

Regarding the fines, Mr. Hardalias announced that natural persons who do not comply with the obligation to wear a mask, the rules on keeping distances and other rules for travelling by SMS, are now subject to an administrative fine for each infringement, by reasoned decision of the competent authority 300 euros.

Particularly in the case that the employer If an employer provides false or forged information or issues a false certificate regarding an employee or themselves, the competent authority shall, by means of a reasoned decision, an administrative fine on the 500 euros from the employer.

On businesses and to legal entities that operate in violation of the suspension of their operations, that is, failure to comply with the suspension of operations or the suspension of public access, an administrative fine of 5,000 euros shall be imposed for each violation, while natural persons responsible for the operation of such entities shall be subject to an administrative fine of 3,000 euros for the same violation.

For more information, members of the public and businesses can call 1520.

Support Measures for Businesses and Workers

For closed businesses, the platform Declaration of Employees on Leave The application period opens on November 15 and closes on November 24, and payments will begin on November 27 and be completed by December 7. For affected businesses, the application period also begins on November 15 and ends on December 4, and payments will be made in stages starting on December 7.

Employees who are on leave will receive the compensation of 800 euros, while sole proprietorships and self-employed individuals belonging to the affected KAD categories will receive, through the a refundable deposit of 1,000 euros. Similarly, sole proprietorships and self-employed individuals that are forced to close by government order will receive 2,000 euros through the refundable advance payment. It should be noted that everyone is eligible for the mandatory rent reduction—that is, both those who have been adversely affected and those who will be forced to close by government order.

Elementary schools and special education schools are open

Regarding education, the following issues remain unresolved: kindergartens, the primary schools, as well as the special education schools at all levels and private special education centers. The high schools and the high schools Starting Monday, they will operate under a distance-learning format, while distance learning will also continue at the Institutions of Higher Education. The following will also operate via distance learning: tutoring centers and the study centers.

In hospitals and diagnostic centers One companion per patient is still permitted, while the suspension of visiting hours at long-term care facilities (such as Senior Care Units) remains in effect.

It also remains, Remote work is mandatory at a rate of 50% for private companies.

Also, Court operations are suspended, Land Registry and Cadastral Offices, except in cases of emergency.

Economic Relief Measures

The Employees of affected companies may have their contracts suspended and receive a special-purpose allowance. The cost is estimated at 675 million for November.

Employees who, as of yesterday, were scheduled to be placed on leave in November will receive EUR 800 (proportionally for the days that were suspended). In addition, the Christmas bonus will be covered. The cost is 215 million euros.

Businesses that are suspending operations They do not pay VAT for November through April 30. It will be repaid in 12 installments at a 0% interest rate or in 24 installments at an interest rate of 2.5% starting in May

Companies that suspend their operations may to avoid paying their November installment payments. The payment is made in corresponding installments at the end of the payment plan.

Employees that are suspended They may not have to make their installment payments for November. They will pay them at the end of the payment plan.

To be continued the suspension of bank loan installment payments, in consultation with the EET by the end of the year.

Unemployment benefits extended which expired after September for two months.

Reinforced with 400 euros unsubsidised long-term unemployed.

The companies affected by the extended list of codes are entitled to rent reduction by 40%. The same applies to first residence of affected workers and student houses.

For those owners will be given immediately 1/3 of the amount they will lose.

In Repayable Advance 4 all companies that close down and receive a minimum of EUR 2 000 can enter the scheme. The 50% of the aid will not be reimbursed.

The government will announce new plan to extend the payment of cheques.