Mitsotakis rallies nation behind extended lockdown, pushes for mass vaccination

By George Gilson

PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government are maintaining a hard line on continued lockdown measures at least until 14 December amidst anguish in the business community over the dire economic repercussions of the move and the fatigue of citizens.

Mitsotakis expressed sympathy in acknowledging how hard it must be for most people to be homebound and forced to accept restricted social activities but he underlined the necessity of the move and pointed that the spring lockdown during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic was all-encompassing and shut down most of the economy.

The PM strongly urged citizens to faithfully comply with public health guidelines in the coming months as the much-desired herd immunity that will get Greece out of the woods would take months and the vaccination of around 70 percent of an often distrustful and reluctant public.

After a host of conflicting statements from ministers and other officials in recent weeks regarding which sectors of the economy will open for business before Christmas he effectively issued a gag order prohibiting ministers and other officials from offering possible dates and instructing them to say that everything will depend on the recommendations of the COVID-19 committee of scientists advising the government.

Restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, and other entertainment venues will remain shut indefinitely.

«We will salvage what we can from Christmas season commerce,» he told Alpha television an interview that aired today.

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