China News Service, March 17 According to the Greek "China-Greece Times" report, on March 16, local time, the Greek National Public Health Organization announced that there were 1533 new confirmed cases of new crowns in Greece in the past 24 hours, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases increased to 223789; There were 59 new deaths and a total of 7196 deaths.

　　At present, the outlook for the epidemic in Greece is still unclear. However, the authorities have taken into account the economic difficulties and the limits of the people's tolerance, and are ready to gradually unblock it.

As for the AstraZeneca vaccine that has been discontinued by many European countries, the Greek government has decided not to stop it temporarily and will continue to fight for the people.

Data map: Greece under the epidemic.

　　The outlook for the epidemic remains uncertain

　　It is reported that as the saturation rate of the intensive care unit in the Attica regional hospital approaches 100%, and the hospitalization rate has been maintained at a high level, the Greek public medical system will have an extremely difficult week.

　　Since all the 360 ​​COVID-19 intensive care beds previously deployed in Athens and surrounding areas have been put into use, the government announced on the 15th local time that it will further cooperate with the private health department to prevent the national medical system from collapsing under heavy pressure.

These cooperations include: adding a private hospital to treat patients with new crowns, and adding 100 beds equipped with ventilators by the end of this week.

　　Health experts are still uncertain about the current development of the epidemic and the pressure on the national medical system.

In addition, since the school will be closed until March 29, the government will draft a sanitation code before that, and it is expected that the content will increase the laboratory's new crown virus detection of biological samples from students and teachers.

Due to the increase in the infection rate, the spread of the mutant virus, and the outbreak of the epidemic in schools beyond expectations, the government believes that it is necessary to update the previous health regulations.

　　Unblocking will be put on the agenda

　　The Greek Government Medical Expert Committee will hold a meeting on the 17th local time to review the latest epidemiological data and discuss plans to gradually restart economic activities.

　　The government hopes to begin lifting restrictions on the retail industry before the end of the month to ease the pressure on the economy, and it is also aware of the increasing number of violations of restrictions, which proves that people’s fatigue with the blockade has become increasingly prominent.

　　However, experts pointed out that the process of phasing out restrictions will depend on the country’s vaccination progress.

And reiterate that the wider the population covered by vaccination, the greater the scope of social and economic restarts.

　　Greek Deputy Interior Minister Pesas said, “We are at the end of a difficult road, and the government is considering the idea of ​​gradually opening up multiple departments at the end of this month.” However, he emphasized that how to lift the blockade will depend on relevant medical data.

　　Unblock preliminary roadmap disclosure

　　On the 16th local time, the Greek media disclosed a preliminary road map for the government to gradually lift the blockade.

According to this roadmap, economic and social activities will be gradually reopened from March 22 to March 29.

　　The retail industry will be an earlier department, and the 13032 SMS declaration system will be activated. People will be able to go shopping for 3 hours after sending declaration information to this number.

In terms of schools, middle schools are expected to gradually open in early April, and elementary schools and kindergartens will also open thereafter.

The opening time of the catering industry is most likely to be in mid-April, but initially the operators can only receive diners in the outdoor area.

　　Greece still has strict restrictions on cross-regional travel, but with the arrival of Easter on May 9th, Greece is expected to relax restrictions on cross-regional travel before then.

　　For the tourism industry, Greece looks forward to opening its doors to tourists on May 14.

Greek Tourism Minister Harris Theoharis said in a recent interview with the media that travelers who want to enter Greece only need to meet one of the following three conditions: they have been vaccinated against the new crown virus, they have antibodies to the new crown virus, and they have a certificate. Negative new coronavirus test report.

　　The opening hours of bars, concert halls and other entertainment venues are expected to be gradually opened in June or July, and the initial opening hours of bars may last until 1:00 in the morning.

　　Greece has not suspended AstraZeneca vaccines

　　In terms of vaccination, for some European countries recently announced the suspension of the use of AstraZeneca's new crown vaccine, the National Vaccination Committee of Greece in an announcement issued on the 14th quoted the statement of the European Medicines Agency's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee. There is no evidence that these vaccination events that have a negative impact on health are causally related to the vaccination itself.

Therefore, the National Vaccination Committee of Greece decided to continue to promote the vaccination work of AstraZeneca in accordance with the established plan.

　　Greek Minister of Health Kyquilas also confirmed on the 16th that Greece will continue to use the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In an interview with Skai TV, he said that while analyzing the temporary suspension of the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in many EU countries, all parties should remain calm and collect information about the vaccine.

　　He said: "We are waiting for the decision of official agencies, including the European Medicines Agency." He pointed out that unless the government gives clear instructions, the vaccination of AstraZeneca vaccine in Greece will continue.

He emphasized that the European Medicines Agency is the official authority. Since the start of vaccination, the Greek government and health authorities have faithfully followed the recommendations of the agency.

(Cai Ling)