Stricter measures in Athens against the rise in novel coronavirus infections

A return to working from home for both private and public companies and stricter crowd control measures are some of the emergency measures introduced in Attica on Monday.

Following a rise in coronavirus infections, particularly in the centre of Athens, and an attendant rise in hospitalisations, new measures have been introduced as of Monday, September 21 and will last through October 4.

The new measures are as follows:

- Indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to 9 people, except for areas already regulated, such as restaurants

- Indoor and outdoor concerts are suspended, as are indoor film screenings

- Baptisms, weddings and funerals may have a maximum of 20 people in attendance

- People from vulnerable groups, such as migrants, who have tested positive to the virus but are asymptomatic will be transferred to hotels and be under medical care there

- 40 pct of private and public business employees must work from home

- Public-sector employees must arrive at and depart from work in three stages (at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.)

- Private-sector companies must do the same, but at four stages

- People 65 or older, or belonging to vulnerable groups, must limit their social outings for 14 days, and their contacts to immediate family members