G. Economou: We will listen to the experts on whether we will go to further extension or relaxation of the measures

Government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou spoke in an interview with SKAI about the application of the fine to those who are not vaccinated over 60 and the duration of the measure, noting that it is, as is well known, 100 euros per month, will be imposed on the 16th of each month and will apply to all our fellow citizens who have not been vaccinated as long as they remain unvaccinated. Answering a relevant question, he clarified that if someone makes an appointment today for vaccination, they will pay the fine for January because the deadline has expired, but certainly not for next month, and he referred to the exceptions for which the procedures already apply, so that even if a fine is imposed by mistake to be corrected and not paid.

He stressed that “all the previous time we have managed to vaccinate at least half or close to half of those who were not vaccinated, a very large percentage of more than 200,000 of our fellow citizens. the same”.

Going back in time, he explained that this will be determined by how much there will be a need to continuously increase vaccination coverage, how much measures will be in place for vaccinated and unvaccinated people and is not something that can be determined now. In any case it is not something that will last for one, two or three months. He stressed that our country was the only country that imposed age obligations and the only one that imposes a fine and one of the first countries to pass the covid-free, which imposed divisions between vaccinated and unvaccinated in order to protect public health.

He stressed that these measures have paid off and that no aggravation is currently being considered despite the fact that the challenge of vaccination coverage is ongoing.

Regarding the easing of the measures, Mr. Oikonomou stated that the Commission will meet tomorrow, will weigh the magnitude of the pandemic and the general influence that its decisions may have on the way we perceive the situation. that we are now in the pandemic. We will listen to the experts and see if we will go to a further extension or to some relaxation of the measures. We will listen to the experts and we will also express our opinion.

He also pointed out that the pressure on the National Health System still exists because despite the fact that “O” is the predominant mutation, there is also “D”, which causes serious diseases, leading to intubation. Also unfortunately 85% of the people who get there are unvaccinated and we are led to increased numbers of losses. Obviously we are also concerned and it is something that one must include in the criteria by which one will make any decisions.

Asked about the government’s criticism of the situation, he said that what the government had done since the beginning of the pandemic had been mentioned many times. As for the total number of deaths from the beginning of the pandemic until now, as he said, our country is at the European average and below, but this, noting that “for me it is not important, because all human losses are a very unpleasant element, without a doubt a very unpleasant development.

“In order to talk about criminal management, responsibilities or anything, one has to trace the government’s behavior in the NSS from the time it received it, what happened in the meantime, where the situation was and where it reached.”

Regarding the decision not to extend the obligation, he replied that at the moment the vaccination rates with the first dose are above the European averages and in terms of the fully vaccinated very close to the European average. “The unfortunate thing is that if this had happened in October or November, obviously the pressure on the NSS would have been much lower and we would have had far fewer deaths. That is the reality.” “We are with the figures we have in terms of vaccination rates and this should be taken into account in any decision taken.”

“We have never said that the coronavirus has left or that we should treat this situation with ease. We say that one should be very cautious and careful and remain vigilant. Not only have we not stopped at the National Health System,” he said. we add forces but reinforcements are constantly made depending on the pressure we receive “.

“First of all, the Pentelis Children’s Hospital does not close”, he meanwhile answered a relevant question. “What happens with Pentelis Children is that practically the two or three shifts that would take place in the afternoon some days during the week will not take place for a period of four to five weeks. You will not do three shifts during the week and these shifts will be supported. “From other respective hospitals. The Penteli Children’s Hospital is not closed but will operate normally. The planning and the information from the Ministry of Health is that in 4-5 weeks these on-call services will return.”

He also said that there is a general concern that the Pentelis Children’s Hospital will be closed. “The answer is that the Pentelis Children’s Hospital is not closed,” he said categorically, and the suspension of the vigils that is taking place now will last for about four to five weeks in order to facilitate the vaccination program.

Regarding the possibility of leading to elections, the government spokesman replied: “We have made it clear in all tones that the elections will take place in 2023. What is unusual in relation to what we have experienced in the past is to be so absolute and so focused. We are not doing anything more than what we promised the world and on the basis of which we had asked for the support of Greek society, and in fact in a wider context. It is consumed with when elections will take place, with whether elections will take place and what everyone is asking for, but with how the implementation of the government project will proceed, how the public interest will be ensured and how preconditions will be created for everyone. is our policy at all levels. ”

He said characteristically: “our job is to use every day that passes to add to the country and create a growth dividend for everyone.”

He added: “The prime minister was very clear. We believe in stable governments. Stable governments, even when they are one-party, do not mean that they are exploited or in any case represented by a single party. This has been demonstrated by the prime minister and the government. people who can best implement our reform, patriotic agenda for the benefit of the country. In any case, the people and the citizens are the ones who with their vote will shape in every electoral process of this electoral cycle – both the simple proportional and the next one – the specifications and the conditions. with which we will proceed “.

SOURCE: AMPE