Apostolos Kalogiannis

Clashes erupted outside a Roma settlement in Nea Smyrni, Larissa, central Greece, on Friday, when residents set fires to prevent the transfer of 35 people who had tested positive for the coronavirus to a facility where they will be quarantined for 14 days.

Authorities on Thursday night put a Roma settlement in Larissa, central Greece, under strict lockdown after several residents tested positive for the highly contagious novel coronavirus.

The settlement, which has an estimated population of around 3,000, was placed under quarantine on the orders of the deputy minister for civil protection, Nikos Hardalias, at 11 p.m. on Thursday.