New measures in Attica: changes starting Monday, September 21

The new measures announced by the government last week are already in force at the suggestion of infectious disease specialists to “stop” the spread of the coronavirus. More telecommuting, a meeting limit and travel restrictions for specific age groups are some of the new plans that the citizens of Attica will have to adapt to before October 4.

Let’s not forget that this area is on an “orange” alert and therefore recent measures are seen as a desperate effort to reduce cases in the next 15 days.

According to the latest data, a large percentage of the virus is found to be transmitted in private companies. Consequently, one of the measures to be implemented refers to teleworking in both the public and private sectors. The rest are focused on public gatherings with a ceiling of nine people, while setting restrictions on social events.

In particular, from Monday, September 21 to October 4, the following measures will be applied:

– Maximum 9 people for indoor and outdoor meetings (excluding areas where special distance measures apply, such as health shops)

– Indoor and outdoor concerts are suspended and projections in indoor cinemas are suspended

– A maximum of 20 people at weddings, funerals and baptisms

– Restrict the movement of people over 65 to what is absolutely necessary and avoid contact with people other than their immediate family environment and avoid travel by public transport.

– For Attica, the residence of asymptomatic positive cases belonging to vulnerable population groups, for example, is also decided. immigrants- in quarantine hotels

– The following measures are taken to protect the health of workers:

1. Mandatory telecommuting for public and private sector employees who perform office work or work that can be done remotely. Commute to and from work in three waves for the public sector: at 7, 8 and 9 in the morning.

2. Introduce flexibility in the arrival and departure of private sector workers in four waves. Within two hours from the start and end of the working day.

3. Scan checks of employers and employees who do not comply with the protection measures in the workplace. That is, the mandatory use of a mask.

4. Extensive checks with EODY rapid test at workplaces and meetings in congested areas of Attica and at public and private sector services deemed necessary for the continued smooth running of the state and economy, for example. schools, public transport and especially hospitals.

It is noted that the concern of health authorities about the situation with the coronavirus in Attica is great, while epidemiologists clarify that if they do not implement the new measures in the next 10-12 days, it will be a way to make even tougher decisions.

HEinstructions for the public

Regarding public services exclusively, mA circular issued today by the Interior Ministry stipulates that from tomorrow until November 4, 40% of the personnel of the public sector, public bodies and local authorities, based in the Attica region, will have to perform remote work.

It is mandatory to reset the three hours of arrival and departure of employees (07: 00-15.00, 08.00 -16.00 and 09.00 -17.00) or even the provision of shift work, in order to decongest public services, but also media. transport.

The service of the public in public services is carried out only in urgent cases, by appointment and can be carried out until 4:00 p.m. for all services that end until 3:00 p.m. according to the provisions of general application.

In all types of workplaces the use of non-medical protective masks is mandatory.

In addition, the circular redefines the groups most at risk based on a relevant JM of September 17. Officials belonging to these groups (included in the attached circular) are entitled to a special leave of absence and perform remote work. The special license is now granted only with a medical opinion from the treating physician issued after a reference document from the Service.

Alternative facilities are provided for parents working with children who are subject to cases where the Special Committee of the Ministry of Health has recommended prolonged abstention from school and the use of distance education.

Alternative facilities are:

a) Provision of remote work, if possible based on the functions performed by the employee.

b) Provision of full-time work at hours other than the scheduled opening hours of the service, but in any case for Services that operate with fixed hours of public services from 07:00 onwards and no later than 22:00 , always the specific service in which the employee works does not operate 24 hours.

c) Provision of part-time work, up to 25% per day. It is recalled that employees who use this facility must make up the time they did not provide work.

You can see the full circular here

We remind you that coronavirus cases in Attica remain stable in three digits, with an upward trend. On Sunday, September 20, 2020, EODY announced 170 new cases, of which 89 in Attica. A day earlier, on Saturday, September 19, 2020, 240 new cases of coronavirus were announced in Greece, of which 99 in Attica.