Nikos Hardalias

Greek health authorities announced on Tuesday four new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total nationwide to 2,840.

No fatalities were reported in the past 24 hours, Health Ministry representative Sotiris Tsiodras said in his daily press briefing, keeping the death toll at 165. The median age of the victims was 75.

Bishop Anthimos of Alexandroupoli has acknowledged that the strict lockdown measures imposed by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus "protected" churchgoers.

Greek authorities on Friday announced they were extending a ban on passenger flights to and from Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands until May 31.

Are the crowds of young people who have been congregating recently in public squares in Athens and other parts of the country politically guided acts of the usual kind or spontaneous gatherings? Even if they did start as a reaction by young people to being cooped up at home for seven weeks, these party-like gatherings soon became political.

Two more people died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours in Greece to reach a total of 150 (median age is 75) since the start of the outbreak, Health Ministry adviser Sotiris Tsiodras said in Friday's regular update.

Large gatherings at public squares by young people cutting loose as lockdown measures are eased can undermine Greece's successful efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias said on Thursday.

The government's prompt response to the health crisis and the people's compliance explain why Greece has reported less than 15 deaths per million of the population when countries of a similar size like Portugal reported 100/million and Belgium 750/million. The next phase that started this week with the gradual lifting of restrictions will be tougher and painful.

The mayor of Agia Paraskevi, a district north of Athens, said on Thursday he was concerned that more than 1,000 people are planning to gather in the main square on Friday and over the weekend, despite a government ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.

Αuthorities are concerned about a trend involving large groups of young people gathering in squares with alcohol from bars and cafes offering takeaway services, with a square in Agia Paraskevi, north of Athens, being closed indefinitely after two nights of parties that culminated in clashes with police. 

Deputy Minister for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias on Wednesday said that police have been ordered to close public access to the main square of the northern Athens suburb of Aghia Paraskevi daily from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. on the following day.