Tsiodras: No lockdown, but stricter social distancing measures may be considered

The dispersal of the coronavirus "is impossible to control, we need a mature understanding," professor Sotiris Tsiodras said, his familiar figure providing a rare reappearance at the live briefing on the pandemic's development, on Tuesday.

Tsiodras participated in the twice-weekly televised briefing with Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias, epidemiologist and fellow-Health Ministry coronavirus committee member Gkikas Magiorkinis, and Deputy Health Minister Vassilis Kontozamanis.

The infectious diseases specialist called the next two weeks particularly critical for the spread of the pandemic. In responses to press questions, he noted that when there is a spike in infections among younger people, it takes 2-3 weeks for those infections to spread to older people. As an example, he said that the current number of infections among people over 55 years old has now doubled.

In terms of more measures, he ruled out ruled out a lockdown both in Europe and in Greece, calling it "a last resort", and warning the public to pitch in and assume personal responsibility in observing health measures. But he revealed that stricter measures would be discussed by the committee on Thursday, espeically those related to distance keeping in restaurants and sports.

The winter will be difficult, through January, he said, expressing concern for the health system in Northern Macedonia, particularly ICUs, but it was not unpredictable.

Northern Greece leads in dispersal of coronavirus infections, says Hardalias

Northern Greece currently leads in the spread of coronavirus infections, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said during a live briefing on Tuesday.

At the twice-weekly live briefing on pandemic's development, Hardalias announced that the regions of Serres in Macedonia and Ioannina in NW Greece would be upgraded to red-alert level level of inceased threat as of 06:00 on Thursday. The region of Rodopi in NE Greece and the island of Naxos are upgraded raised to 'orange' alert level of increased monitoring.

He issued a call to the public for efforts to contain the spread of the disease in those areas, and added that the situation is extremely critical.