Alarm in the government for the record of cases – The new measures before the New Year

By Dimitris Gatsios

Government and experts are faced with the strong possibility of an adjustment or immediate shift of the measures announced with an initial timeframe of 3 January.

After the … shock brought by “Black Tuesday”, with the country counting 21,657 cases in a twenty-four hour period, the change of course regarding the strategy of dealing with the new “Omicron” executive of Covid-19, the which seems to prevail emphatically in our country as well.

Despite the fact that the Minister of Health announced on Monday afternoon that the next wave of interventions related to catering, entertainment, stadiums and teleworking would come to the forefront with the arrival of the new year, everything shows (and especially the aggression in the dispersal of the mutation) that any restrictive moves come before the festive milestone of the New Year.

And what will judge the committee’s present recommendations and the decisions of the government staff … opens in a triptych, which is defined by the number of infections, the pressure on the health system and the policies of the other European capitals.

In the morning, at the Maximos Palace, under Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the established meeting on the pandemic virus will take place, in the presence of Messrs. Plevris and Tsiodra. And in this meeting will be discussed all the latest developments on the front of the “Omicron” executive, but also the possible next steps in the government agenda. Around half past ten, the Maximos Palace will have in its hands the first picture of the course of cases in the community, while at twelve it is expected that the meeting of the experts of the Ministry of Health will begin, which will submit the relevant her suggestions.

“When the data changes and changes rapidly, it would be wrong not to change our tactics,” said (SKAI) the government spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou, giving the stigma of the intentions. And according to information, the scenario that… is currently gaining ground is the measures that would be in force from January 3 to be implemented earlier. That is, during the festive three days of the New Year.

The “architecture” of the measures

What measures have already been announced and, in all likelihood, will … run earlier? Mandatory use of FFP2 / KN95 mask or alternatively double surgical mask both in supermarkets and public transport, as well as by staff in catering-entertainment. 10% occupancy rate in the stadiums, with a maximum of 1,000 people. If the measures are not followed, they will be closed completely. Fun and catering until 12 midnight. There will be no standing and up to six people will be at the tables.

In any remark, from the first day of implementation of the measures, that they are not observed, there will be an interruption of the music. Teleworking in public and private sector which will reach up to 50% and will be implemented in parallel with rolling hours. “The committee will meet so that the measures decided, if necessary, will be implemented earlier. So we are not talking about new measures, but about implementing the measures decided at an earlier stage. This will be discussed at length in the Commission and based on of its proposal, the government will take a stand.

If the measures are implemented earlier, there will obviously be an adjustment for the New Year’s Eve, so that there is no over-transmission in the part of entertainment and catering, as is the case in clubs and entertainment with the standing. “If we decide to go on schedule before the New Year, we will appreciate the fact that the time changes at twelve and therefore it can not be twelve o’clock on New Year’s schedule”, noted (MEGA) the Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris. What always exists at the forefront of the government strategy is the balance between the functioning of the economy and society and the shielding of the health system, and it is this fact that will determine which adjustments are decided and announced today.

As far as the school front is concerned, experts and the government always have as their first goal their regular opening on January 10th. What will be discussed today during the committee meeting, but also in the next twenty-four hours, is whether a change in the health protocols will be required, although there is no shortage of scientists’ estimates, according to which the lifelong function of education may begin. week later.