Greece extends key lockdown measures over Christmas holidays

 Greece’s government said Monday it will maintain core lockdown measures through Christmas holidays, ackwledging that monthlong restrictions have t reduced COVID-19 cases to extent it h hoped for.

Schools, courts, and restaurants will remain closed through Jan. 7, government spokesman Stelios Petsas anunced, while n-essential travel between Greece’s ministrative regions will also be banned.

Stay-at-home orders nationwide will remain in effect until that date, with movement outside only allowed with government permission — which can be granted by SMS text mess.

Greece’s pandemic death toll reached 3,000 at weekend, with most deaths occurring after v. 1.

number of daily infections, based on a seven-day rolling aver, is currently at 1,609 compared to 2,674 in mid-vember, Petsas said.

Restrictions for stores, churches and hair salons will be anunced later this week, Petsas said.

current lockdown was launched on v. 7 and initially planned to last for three weeks.

(Im credit: AP)