Health Ministry

Greece's Shipping Ministry announced a new loosening of restrictions in ferry travel on Wednesday, citing the limited infection rates from coronavirus in Greece in combination with the consistent implementation of the health protocols in shipping.

Nearly 2 million people have traveled between provinces after the government lifted a ban to restrict mobility as part of its efforts to take the spread of the coronavirus under control.

Greece recorded 19 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, of which the 12 concerned passengers from a flight from Qatar that landed in Athens' International Airport on Monday, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The total number of cases in the country reached 2,937, of which 55.3 percent are men.

The seroprevalence study for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, coordinated by the National Public Health Institute (INSP) will be carried out between June and September, according to an order of the Health Minister. "We are seeking to determine the degree of SARS-CoV-2 spreading among Romania's population, in order to properly substantiate the future protection measures of the population's health.

Professor Sotiris Tsiodras, known to the wider Greek public as the Health Ministry's spokesman for the novel coronavirus, was the first speaker in a series initiated by Alternate Foreign Affairs Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis as chairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

Greek health authorities reported four new deaths from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 179.

The Health Ministry said in its daily press release the median age of the deceased was 76 years.

A 70-year-old woman infected with the novel coronavirus died at the Greek capital's NIMTS navy hospital on Monday, bringing the country's death toll to 178.

The unnamed woman was the third victim of Covid-19 in less than 24 hours, following nearly three days without any casualties from the disease.

Greece lifted lockdown restrictions Monday for hotels, open-air cinemas, golf courses and public swimming pools as the country ramped up preparations for the crucial summer tourism season to start in two weeks. Primary school children also returned to class.

The death of two patients on Sunday night brought Greece's Covid-19 death toll to 177 following nearly three days without any fatalities from the coronavirus epidemic.

Sunday's first victim was a 66-year-old woman who was being treated at the capital's Sotiria Hospital and suffered from underlying health problems that contributed to her death.

Turkey lifted a two-day-long curfew early on June 1 that was imposed in some provinces as part of efforts to contain the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 4,500 people in the country.

The curfew was in effect in 14 major provinces as well as Zonguldak province, where the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases is high. Travel was also restricted in the provinces.