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Photo: Loukas Velidakis / kathimerini.gr
By Loukas Velidakis
It’s 3 a.m. on Sunday. In Syntagma Square The funeral silence prevails, which is only interrupted by the sporadic passing of some cars, mainly taxis. A little earlier, at the foot of the square, a large group of policemen stopped all passing vehicles and proceeded to check the passengers, if they had the necessary documents.
Speaking to “K”, a police officer involved in the search noted that since 00:30, when the ban came into force, many fines have been imposed on drivers.
However, he pointed out that most of those inspected had a document, as most of them at that time were catering workers and were leaving their workplace.
Several fines were also imposed on the foreign police bloc Hilton. The drivers who were found without a document invoked negligence, however the police from the first moment proceeded to impose the fine of 150 euros.
In Syntagma SquareIn the first part of the inspections, high-ranking officials were also present.
Speaking to “K”, an employee of the central Syntagma kiosk, said that his images recall scenes from the quarantine of last spring, with one difference: from 00:30 to 02:00 he had sold only one pack of cigarettes. Absolute silence reigned in the fast food restaurants that remained open. The employees were cleaning and in no mood for conversation.
Going down Ermou, the scenes are reminiscent of a disaster movie. One of the busiest streets in Athens is completely empty and the only thing that breaks this scene are the bright lights of some shops, as well as the policemen at the height of Nikis street.
In Kapnikarea Square A cyclist appears and begins to climb Ermou. At the time it looks like an outdated image.
In the Monastiraki the streets are empty, as is the square. On the corner there are some taxis with the drivers having chatted trying to kill time. When asked what they plan to do, since there is a curfew, the answer is simple: they will wait …
The same had been answered earlier by the man on the Constitution bench. If they see that the situation is chronic, they will close the kiosk. He said he was pessimistic.
About 02.30 the patrol cars and the policemen had left the Constitution. Speaking to “K”, a man from the Hellenic police emphasized that there will be checks at night by patrols throughout Attica.
In 03.18, a lady with a rolling suitcase crosses Amalia in front of Parliament. A little earlier there had been the changing of the guard, which broke the silence with the noises of the men of the Presidential Guard.
For an hour no one passes Syntagma Square, only a taxi.
The images are unprecedented. They refer to the March / April quarantine, but there is a significant difference. Then there was no total traffic ban. Now there is a funereal silence.
Patrols in Syntagma Square
License of V. Sofias
V. Sofías without vehicles or pedestrians
Athenas Street
V. Konstantinou
V. Alexandrou
V. Sofia at the Hilton Crossing
