News in brief
People, especially the elderly, continue to form long lines outside bank branches, despite the government’s appeals not to. The government urges people to use e-banking or ATM machines instead.
The head of the Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE) Giorgos Pitsilis on Monday said that as of March 16 all of Greece’s tax offices have been operating via email and telephone, in line with coronavirus protective measures.
Speaking at the Tuesday evening televised update on the coronavirus pandemic, Pitsilis added that by April 10 the country’s online tax platform TaxisNet will be able to accept debit card payments on settled debts, as it already accepts payments on outstanding debts.
The government’s concerns as to whether people will continue to abide by the measures stem from the fact that the weather is getting warmer, favoring outdoor life and activities, and provincial regions’ rising susceptibility to the virus.
The government is concerned that the magnitude of the problem is not understood everywhere in the country, and subsequently not everyone is falling in line. This was also apparent as images over the weekend showed scores of people gathered on the main promenade at Thessaloniki, leading the government to partially restrict access to it.
The Greek government is reportedly mulling the introduction of limits to the amount of time that people leave their homes so as to further curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Kathimerini understands.
Even though no official announcements have been made, the idea is reportedly gaining traction within the government as Easter approaches.
Deputy Citizens’ Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias hinted at what might be in the pipeline, saying that one cannot go out for an unlimited time.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday that people should be aware that they won’t be celebrating Easter the way they are used to this year.
As regards securing the necessary medical supplies to fight the spread of the virus, another 13.5 million protective masks from China were delivered on Tuesday to Greece – a donation by the Onassis Foundation.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry representative Sotiris Tsiodras on Tuesday announced 82 new cases of the coronavirus, as well as an additional 20 cases involving crew members on a ship anchored off Piraeus, bringing the total to 1,314. Another seven infected people died, Tsiodras said, pushing the death toll 49.
Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias announced additional restrictive measures in five municipalities in northern Greece. According to these new restrictions, residents of Kastoria, Orestida, Nestorio, Xanthi and Myki are prohibited from leaving their homes, or their municipalities, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The municipality of Athens has urged the capital’s residents to show a greater sense of responsibility as regards the protection of public health and helping the authority in its work by assisting the efforts of sanitation workers.
More specifically, City Hall is asking residents to dispose of household waste in bags in the correct bins (recyclable, non-recyclable, organic waste etc), and, as long as the pandemic lasts, to delay pruning plants and trees.
The statement also notes that gloves and masks are not recyclable materials.
Meanwhile, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis underlined the good cooperation between the municipality and citizens and emphasized that residents must “adapt to the conditions of the day, so that our services continue to be effective and efficient.”
Global deaths due to the coronavirus pass 42,000. Data collected by Johns Hopkins University researchers show at least 42,332 people have died across the world. At least 859,556 have been infected.
US deaths could reach 240,000 according to the White House, whose models indicate at least 100,000 will die. Trump said the country should expect a “very, very painful two weeks.” US deaths currently exceed those in China. Monday was the deadliest day yet for the US, which has now lost more than 4,076 people.
China’s national health commission on Wednesday reported 36 new Covid-19 cases and 130 new asymptomatic cases, bringing the total number of such cases under observation to 1,367. Previously, China has regarded asymptomatic patients as a low risk and not included them in its tally of confirmed cases.
A US Navy captain asked permission to isolate crew on shore. The captain of aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus, is asking for permission to isolate the bulk of his roughly 5,000 crew members on shore, which would take the warship out of duty in an effort to save lives.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis requested that the Greek flag on the Acropolis be flown at half mast today, the day WWII resistance hero and politician Manolis Glezos is to be buried.
Glezos, who died on Monday aged 97, was best known for taking down from the Acropolis with the assistance of another young friend the flag of the Nazi occupiers of Greece.
In his request late on Tuesday announced on social media, Mitsotakis said the gesture was a tribute to «a great Greek».
And the weather forecast…
Sunny in Attica this morning, with clouds and possible rain expected in the evening. The temperature today will reach a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius.
