Greece taking additional measures against new coronavirus

The Greek government is stepping up measures to tackle the possible arrival in the country of the new, or "novel" coronavirus, now called 2019-nCoV, as experts warn that it could reach the country within the next three weeks. 

After a meeting of the National Council of Public Health (ESYD) overseen by Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias on Monday, it was announced that the government will hire additional staff to reinforce medical laboratories, state hospitals and entry points to the country under emergency procedures.

Moreover ESYD is to set up a task force that will be responsible for overseeing the response to any cases of the coronavirus that might transpire in Greece.

It is thought that between 150 and 200 health professionals will be hired on short-term contracts to boost the state health sector's response.

According to Sotiris Tsiodras, associate...