The Minister of Health, Vasilis Kikilias announces new public health measures concerning unvaccinated citizens, while the pandemic of coronavirus is entering its fourth “wave”, with a large percentage of our fellow citizens not yet vaccinated.
The Director of the ICU of the Hospital “Evangelismos”, President of the Hellenic Society of Intensive Care, Professor Anastasia Kotanidou. The aim is to have an indirect pressure on unvaccinated citizens to convince them of the value of vaccination.
Giving data on vaccines, Mr.Kikilias said that now “more than 90% of patients in COVID ICUs are unvaccinated”. “Hospitals will continue to serve all cases,” he added, stressing that those suffering from other diseases also have the right to care. “This is an achievement of the people implementing the vaccination programmes,” the health minister added, noting that now the options are there and the process is easy and quick. “After August 15 we have new appointments and we need one million more vaccinations to reach the rates that other countries like Portugal and Spain have. I believe in the Greek and I believe that the “us versus me” will prevail, he continued.
The new measures for rapid tests:
-From September 1 and without any extension, the suspension measure for health workers who have not been vaccinated with at least the first dose or do not have a six-month certificate of infection will be observed.
-The compulsory vaccination also concerns private doctors and pharmacists. Fines and penalties will be introduced for private individuals.
-From 13/9 onwards, unvaccinated workers in the public and private sector will have to do a mandatory rapid antigen test per week at the expense of the employee, at a price of 10 euros.
-Unvaccinated teachers and academics, as well as workers in tourism, catering, television, cinema, theatre, music and dance productions, should have 2 mandatory rapid antigen tests per week at the expense of the employee. The tests will be verified with the covid free app by the employer.
-Students will have to take 2 self tests per week which are available free of charge.
-Unvaccinated students will have to do 2 mandatory rapid antigen tests per week at the expense of the student.
-Unvaccinated travellers are required to undergo 1 rapid laboratory test 48 hours prior to travel. Minor travellers up to 12 years of age must have a self test up to 48 hours before travel.
-Rapid tests will be done in a private laboratory.
It is clarified that unvaccinated persons will not be able to take a free rapid test in public facilities. CMMs will only be used by vaccinated people or people with symptoms.
Places of entertainment
Indoor entertainment venues will only be accessible to those vaccinated or sick up to six months before. Checking of the certificate of disease or vaccination will be done at the entrance of the business with the covid free app. Enclosed spaces will operate at 100% of their capacity.
Indoor and outdoor sports facilities will only be accessible to those who have been vaccinated or who have been sick up to six months before. Verification of proof of illness or vaccination will be checked at the entrance of the sports venue with the covid free app.
The closed areas of theatres, cinemas, museums and archaeological sites are open to vaccinated and sick people up to 6 months from diagnosis and unvaccinated people who have had a rapid laboratory antigen test up to 48 hours before. Testing will be done at the entrance of the establishment.
The closed gyms will work for vaccinated and sick people up to 6 months from diagnosis and unvaccinated people who have had a rapid antigen laboratory test up to 48 hours before. Testing will take place at the entrance of the establishment.
In all enclosed workplaces, the employer has the right to know whether his workers are vaccinated.
In all indoor and outdoor high occupancy areas, there should be signage for the use of masks.
All measures are valid from 13/9/21-31/3/22.
