"From Monday (November 22) unvaccinated people will not be allowed to enter closed spaces except food places," Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a speech to the nation urging his fellow citizens to get vaccinated.
Until now, the unvaccinated entered closed spaces after a negative test.
"It is an imminent action for the protection" of the population, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, specifying that "nine people out of ten" currently intubated in the hospitals of the country were not vaccinated.
With a vaccination rate of around 63%, Greece (10.7 million inhabitants) is not at the level of other European countries, recalled the Prime Minister.
About 575,000 residents over the age of 60 are not vaccinated, he said.
Since the end of October, the number of contaminations has continued to increase, going from 3,600 on October 29 to 6,150 a week later and to 7,317 on Wednesday, according to the daily report provided by the National Public Health Organization (Eody).
"The third dose of the vaccine is decisive" especially for the elderly, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, stressing that the vaccination certificate for people over the age of 60 would no longer be valid seven months after the last dose of vaccination.
Given the reluctance of the powerful Greek Orthodox Church to respect measures to stem the pandemic, the prime minister indicated that the unvaccinated will not now be able to enter churches without having a negative test.
Wearing a mask is still compulsory for everyone indoors and outdoors in assembly areas.
© 2021 AFP