Νews in brief

Increased traffic in most streets of the city center due to the 24-hour strike called by unions in protest at the government’s social security bill. There is no tram, metro, OSE trains, ISAP railway, suburban railway, trolley or bus service today. Ships are also be docked at ports.

Circulation is free for all vehicles at the city center, including using bus lanes.

Doctors working at state hospitals, paramedics, teachers and professors, as well as bank and judicial employees also abstain from their duties. Journalists will hold a 3-hour work freeze starting at noon.

Rallies have been planned by unions. At 11 am public servant union ADEDY and local government union POE-OTA are holding a rally at Klafthmonos square. Αt this hour PAME left wing party affiliated union is holding a rally at Propylaia and primary unions have gathered at Hafteia. All unions will march to the Parliament.

Stadiou and Panepistimiou streets are currently closed due to the rally at Propylaia.

The covid-19 death toll has reached 1868, while confirmed cases in mainland China have surpassed 73 thousand.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was aware of the outbreak nearly two weeks before he first spoke publicly about it, the New York Times revealed.

Shanghai’s government says the city’s schools, which have been closed for three weeks, will remain closed and will begin teaching primary and secondary school students online from 2 March.

The two Greek nationals aboard “Diamond Princess” cruiseship, which remains in isolation due to the virus in Japan, are expected to retun to Greece this week.

And the weather forecast…

Sunny in Attica this morning with the temperature expected to reach a maximum of 16 degrees Celsius.

More news in brief tomorrow morning at 9.