ENGLISH EDITION

Restrictive measures to contain a resurgence of novel coronavirus infections were imposed on Lesvos island on Sunday by the Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.

"It is not just the deal with Astra Zeneca. Τhe European Commission has been moving decisively all this time to ensure that the citizens of the EU member states have the required number of vaccines against Covid-19. The exploratory discussions with the pharmaceutical Cure Vac for 225 million doses have just been concluded, while similar discussions have taken place with other companies," the Health Minister said.

The greatest impact is on cargo ships and container vessels. Outstanding cargo shipbuilding orders currently concern ships with a capacity of 63.4 million tonnes dwt, a size that is 34.7 percent lower than 12 months ago and lower than in 2004. On container vessels, the order book has decreased by 10.3 percent per year and is at its lowest point since September 2003.

The banking sector, due to concerns about the long-term effects of the crisis on the quality of their portfolios, has come under stronger pressure in Europe and the US. In Europe, the banking index has fallen since the beginning of the year by about 27% against a fall of 12% of the pan-European Euroxx 600 index, while in the US the banking sector has fallen by 20% versus a rise of 5.2% in the S&P 500. 

In consultation with the Finance Ministry, the businesses affected can suspend the contracts of their employees. In the areas of Halkidiki and Mykonos, special units of the National Transparency Authority (EAD) and the police will pick up checks overseeing the proper implementation of the restrictions. 

Hardalias urged for the use of face masks to people returning home from holidays in highly burdened areas and recommended the use of face mask at all indoors facilities. when the necessary distance is not possible to be kept.

Breaking down the 217 new cases since Saturday, EODY said 199 were full-time residents of Greece, and of these 21 had travelled domestically. Another 16 were connected to known clusters of infections.

All restaurants, bars and catering businesses will close from 00:00 until 07:00 in the region of Attica, the islands of the Saronic Gulf and the island of Kythira until August 24. Hardalias urged for the use of face masks to people returning home from holidays in highly burdened areas and recommended the use of face mask at all indoors facilities. when the necessary distance is not possible to be kept.

Greece's Finance Ministry is on red alert after the large spike in the primary budget deficit to 8.2 billion euros in July from 6.1 billion euros in June, making it more difficult to help support the economy and provide tax relief measures that are high on the government's agenda.

Following his one-day visit to Israel on Thursday where he met separately with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaju and Israeli FM Gabi Ashkenazi, Dendias is scheduled to speak with several officials ahead of Friday's extraordinary online meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.