Greek Officials Concerned Over Traffic Congestion Despite Lockdown

Syntagma Square, Athens, on Wednesday evening. Credit: Skai.gr/video frame

Health officials have expressed concern over the scenes of congestion in the streets and highways of Athens and Thessaloniki in the runup to the Christmas holidays.

Television footage on Wednesday evening showed endless queues of cars jamming a highway in southern Athens, a scene which would have been regarded as normal — if a lockdown was not in force.

Speaking to Mega TV, infectious disease specialist Nikolaos Sypsas sounded the alarm, pointing out that the television footage is particularly problematic as the congestion in the city is reminiscent of the similar behavior in London which led to a severe lockdown.

Greek police say they are intensifying efforts to ensure the observance of the new stricter health protection measures, including setting up roadblocks on major highways out of cities.

Police roadblock south of Athens on Wednesday evening. Credit: Skai.gr/video frame

The current daily curfew (22:00 to 05:00) will remain in effect throughout the holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day.

Police say that any car the tis traveling during these hours will be stopped and the necessary documents must be shown to the authorities.

Going outdoors during those hours is allowed only for health emergencies and work reasons, and always with the necessary documents at hand. Otherwise, administrative sanctions and fines of 300 euros will be imposed on all offenders, without discrimination.

On Christmas Day, people should send an SMS with code 6 to the 13033 number in order to travel to the home of first-degree relatives.

Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Lefteris Oikonomou clarified on Wednesday that one SMS will be needed to go to the relative’s house and a second one in order to return home.

Gatherings in the home must be limited to nine people from two families, with police entitled to carry out an inspection in the presence of a public prosecutor if there is a complaint.

If the rules have been broken, the host is liable to pay a 3,000-euro fine and each person present will have to pay 300 euros, with additional penalties envisaged if there is an infection or death as a result of the in appropriate gathering.

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