Holidaymakers who are heading to Greece are being advised to wear face masks as there are fears a new Covid variant has struck the country.
It was confirmed by Metaxa Oncology Hospital in Piraeus that from 15 July there will be mandatory protective measures to tackle the Covid variant over the next 15 days.
The new variant has been called FLiRT and Greece has seen a large influx of cases, which was confirmed an expert in hygiene and epidemiology at the University of Athens, Professor Gikas Magiorkinis to Skai TV.
Since the new variant first appeared in Greece two weeks ago there has been an increase in hospital admissions, however the new Covid variant does not cause severe disease which was seen in 2020 globally.
The Irish Mirror reported that the Director of Metaxa Hospital, Sarantos Efstathopoulos said measures are in place such as mandatory wearing of face mask and hand washing.
Speaking to local media, a hospital spokesperson said, “I am asking for the cooperation of the relevant departments and departments for the immediate implementation of the above-mentioned measures and the correct information of the staff, patients and their companions, through the distribution of an information sheet on the portal, in the clinics and outpatient clinics, as well as through the website of the Metaxas Hospital.”
QEINAP President Matina Pagoni warned, “It’s summer, we’re going on vacation, we never said the coronavirus was gone. The truth is that this year, compared to last year, the cases have nothing to do with it. There are too many, there are many hospitalizations and also deaths. 21-22 deaths are too many. It will be until the end of July or so the flare-up”.
She gave advice for people who have underlying health issues, Pagoni said, “This way they will prevent complications and hospitalisations. These groups should wear their masks when they go out in closed spaces and there is crowding.”
