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On Friday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will announce to citizens the roadmap for the next few days, but also for the Christmas holidays.
The Prime Minister is waiting for the data, but also the proposals of the special group of scientists and specialists in infectious diseases for the course of the coronavirus and then the decisions will be made on how to phase out the blockade. However, it is noted that the Prime Minister stressed yesterday that “our path may seem slower, but it will be safer and safer.” And above all, it must be a smooth path. But we have no doubt that we still have some difficult days ahead of us and as soon as the discussion begins on how we will get out of the strict restrictions ”.
Elimination of the confinement: the schools-retail-catering triptych
The “key” date remains for the moment December 7, however, everything shows that the blockade will not be lifted at that time, but will have a small extension, perhaps on the 14th of the month. According to the information, the considered design foresees a gradual opening, always depending on the course of the cases. However, there is already optimism for the improvement of the situation, as the data shows a decrease.
The Plan for Opening Schools – Directions for After the Holidays
The gradual lifting of the closure will be based on the schools-retail-catering triptych, but not necessarily in that order, since the Christmas holidays are in the middle and the schools would be closed anyway. Everything is expected to be judged at the weekend expert meeting.
However, it is noted that the Prime Minister in the cabinet stressed that the lifting of the confinement will be based on data and not on desired dates, while several scientists in their positions express negatives about the possible return of students to classes before Christmas.
Indicative is the statement from the professor of Pathology and member of the expert committee of the Ministry of Health, Charalambos Gogos, who sees the opening of schools, including primary schools, after the holidays. As he highlighted speaking on SKAI TV, the committee has not made its decisions yet, but with the data so far, it is most likely that gyms and high schools will open after the holidays, while something similar can happen with elementary schools. He characteristically asserted that if the situation does not allow elementary schools to open on December 14, “there is no point in discussing it.” In fact, he added that the main concern is mobility around the opening of schools, which will be a burden on the system.
For his part, the government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, referring to the schools, said that there is no suggestion of a different treatment depending on the geographical areas, but the burden is spilling across the territory. Regarding the opening date of the schools, he said that the government is awaiting the suggestions of experts, noting that especially in primary and secondary schools the viral load is small.
The opening of economic activity in the face of Christmas
Another difficult equation that the government and infectious disease specialists must solve is the opening of economic activity, which includes shops, shopping centers and, of course, catering (restaurants, cafes, bars, discos).
With the data available, but always waiting for the suggestions of the experts, the retail will be opened with great care. First it will be the opening of small businesses with great care and with continuous restrictive measures, while with the corresponding conditions they will take over for reopening and shopping centers.
Holidays with few stores open
And the professor of Pathology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Crete and member of the expert committee of the Ministry of Health, Achilleas Gikas, stressed that “we can celebrate with some stores only open and conditioned. As abroad, also in our country there are studies that show the weight of opening restaurants, retail, schools, universities, etc. Each of these areas has a load percentage. “If there is proper management in a scientific way, then we can achieve the lowest possible cost.”
The difficult focusing equation: “green light” with strict terms for restaurants
On Christmas Eve, catering professionals, who have lifted a lot of weight due to the confinement, await decisions on whether and under what conditions they will operate. Infectious disease specialists are clear about the focus and emphasize that it is expected to be the last industry to be discussed, and everything shows that it is going backwards. “We are all skeptical because there is still the burden on the healthcare system that has plagued us and I have seen many surprises with this particular virus.” “Calculations often fail,” warned Mr. Gogos.
And the government spokesman, however, clarified that even when the restaurant opens there will be no evening entertainment or opportunity to stand. What is being discussed is the issue of restaurants. This means that nightclubs and bars will not open.
What will the holidays be like at home?
However, the prime minister has already given an idea of how we should look forward to the holidays. “We will have a different Christmas this year. Much more limited, with our families, with the people we love, perhaps with another family. And so we must do it in this special 2020, which holds many surprises in store for us”, he had stressed during his meeting with the administration and medical staff of the “Papageorgiou” hospital in Thessaloniki.
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