Greece opts for targeted measures instead of new general lockdown to tackle COVID-19

ATHENS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Greece intends to address the ongoing COVID-19 challenge by implementing targeted measures when necessary to control the virus' spread instead of a new general lockdown, the government said on Tuesday.

COVID-19 infections have totaled 4,007 and fatalities 195 since the start of the outbreak in the country on Feb. 26, Nikos Hardalias, deputy minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management at the Ministry of Citizen Protection, said in the first press briefing on the situation after many weeks.

The Greek official provided on Tuesday figures for the coronavirus testing carried out in the country after the gradual restart of the tourism season as of mid June.

Greece re-opened its land, air and sea borders to a number of countries this summer after going through a national lockdown due to the pandemic in the period March 23 until May 4.

More than 900,000 travellers have entered the country since the start of border opening on June 15, while Greek authorities conducted 127,900 sample virus tests.

In the period from July 1 to 19, a total of 295 travelers tested positive.

"We welcomed this small number of tourists because we succeeded in the first phase of the pandemic," Hardalias stressed during the press briefing which was broadcast on national broadcaster ERT.

As he pointed out, an increase in confirmed novel coronavirus cases is expected due to the influx of tourists. But the numbers remain low in comparison to other countries.

The government has tightened measures for arrivals into the country due to the worsening of the epidemiological characteristics of the Balkan countries, according to the official.

All travelers crossing Greece's land border are required to have negative test results within the past 72 hours.

Greek authorities also intensified controls on seasonal migrant workers and local businesses to avoid overcrowding in public spaces like beaches.

It also banned local festivals at least until the end of July. In addition, supermarket employees and customers as of Saturday have to wear face masks.

Hardalias will be briefing media on developments of the coronavirus pandemic on a weekly basis.