Coronavirus: Travelers from China to Greece must take a test and wear a mask

The meeting at Megaros Maximos, which was convened by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the Ministry of Health to evaluate all the data regarding the outbreak of the coronavirus in China, ended shortly after 1:00p.m. today.

At the meeting it was decided to implement the EU recommendations and travelers from China will be required to have a negative 48-hour test (molecular or rapid) before departure, while there will be a recommendation to use a mask.

As in other European countries, the 48-hour test will be required of those coming from China either by direct or transit flights.

A sample check will not be carried out at Greek airports, as such a thing has many technical difficulties (there are no more quarantine hotels, there is no monitoring system, etc.) while also in Italy, where the measure is applied, it proves to be impractical in practice.

Relevant announcements are expected from the Ministry of Health.

It is recalled that the EU Member States agreed on a coordinated preventive approach in light of the developments of the COVID-19 disease in China, in particular taking into account the need for sufficient and reliable data and the easing of travel restrictions from China, beginning January 8, 2023.

In particular, member states agreed to recommend that all passengers on flights to and from China wear a medical mask.

At the same time, Member States are encouraged to introduce, for all passengers departing from China, the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to be carried out no later than 48 hours before departure from China.

At the meeting in Maximos, there was also a discussion about the lack of medicines. It was estimated that by the end of the month, at most, there will be full normalisation.

Besides, in the following days, quite a few inhalants will arrive in our country, for which there are shortages. Also, there is a great deal of generics.

Meanwhile, the effects of the global crisis will continue to affect Greece as well, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said on Thursday speaking to the radio station “Parapolitika 90.1”, while adding that the state of the Greek economy will be better than in much of Europe.

He noted that Greece achieved the largest reduction of public debt as a percentage of GDP in recent years and he reiterated that the main goal of economic policy in 2023 was for Greece to have a primary surplus that will lead it to achieving investment grade status.

The minister also spoke of a threefold growth rate in 2023 compared to Europe and an increase in investments this year and in 2024.

At the same time, he did not rule out the possibility that additional fiscal space will be created, which will be made available to society.

Greece recorded one of the cheapest retail electricity prices in Europe in December, Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas pointed out in a statement regarding the figures for the Household Energy Price Index throughout Europe.

In particular, the ministry’s statement pointed out that Greece recorded the third lowest retail price for electricity among European states that have variable-rate energy plans, as is the case for more than 90% of Greek households.

According to the ministry:

-In December, the average price per kilowatt hour in Greece was 0.25 euros, much lower than the European average, which was 0.3865 euros, but also lower than in countries with mature energy markets, such as Spain (0.348 euros), Italy (0.466 euros), Britain (0.488 euros) and Germany (0.509 euros), etc.

– Regarding natural gas for domestic consumers, Greece ranked 14th among the countries with the lowest rates, out of a total of 28 countries, as the price in the country for December 2022 was 0.1333 euros/KWh, lower than the average price of the EU, which was at 0.1509 euros/KWh.

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas, said: “For another month, the effectiveness of government policy brings Greece among the countries with the cheapest retail electricity rates, throughout Europe.”

“For many months, without interruption, according to HEPI’s indisputable data, the price of electricity for Greek households has remained at affordable levels, despite the long-term duration of the devastating war in Ukraine and the energy crisis it has triggered, with painful consequences for many European countries.

“The best response to the opposition’s nihilistic criticism is given by independent institutions with European-wide prestige. Our government, true to its commitments to Greek citizens, will continue to support households, professionals and farmers for as long as the unprecedented energy crisis in Europe lasts.”