Committee on COVID-19: Masks outdoors mandatory only in crowds, recommends self-test before return from islands

Step-by-step the government is tightening public health restrictions and requirements as it struggles to stem the impact of the spreading of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

Following meetings yesterday and today, the National Committee on COVID-19 decided not to go forward with  a recommendation that the government institute a mandatory COVID-19 rapid test for residents, tourists, and workers on islands immediately before their return to Athens.

Instead, the Committee and the government settled for a strong recommendation that those returning from islands take a COVID-19 self-test.

Masks outdoors in situation of crowding only

Amid confusion about whether and under what circumstances masks will be required outdoors, the experts and the government are clarifying and reiterating today that masks are mandatory in all public indoors spaces, but also that will be required even outdoors in situations of crowding.

Professor Vana Papaevangelou, a member of the Committee, said that it is unclear whether logistically authorities on the islands are capable of organising and conducting testing.

There was heightened concern about tourists on the islands after 14 cases of COVID returning from IOS were detected in sample testing yesterday evening at the Port of Rafina.

They had participated in outdoors party with 1,000 partyers in attendance.

There were 2,107 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the last 24 hours, spurring heightened  concerns

COVID-19 random testing at port of Piraeus

Random testing of people returning from the islands was conducted today by contingents of the National Public Health Association with the assistance of Coast Guard employees.

Restrictions at athletics events

Another  much-touted  measure is limiting attendance at athletic stadiums and facilities to 80 percent of capacity, though a proposal was tabled to allow only the vaccinated to enter. The measure was not announced today.

The experts according to a spate of press reports today had recommended weekly COVID-19 rapid tests for workers in the areas of shipping, air travel, and public transport on land.

Masks outdoors in situation of crowding only

Amid confusion about whether and under what circumstances masks will be required outdoors, the experts and the government are clarifying and reiterating today that masks are mandatory in all public indoors spaces, but also that will be required even outdoors in situations of crowding.