New restrictions in effect for November regarding Covid-19

Greece will shut down, for the first time since May, restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas and gyms across a great part of the country after a surge in coronavirus cases. Restaurants in these areas will only be offering takeaway and deliveries.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the measures in a televised address today, saying they will take effect Tuesday morning the 3rd of November and last for the whole of November.

The areas affected are most of northern Greece and the Athens region.

At the moment the above measures do not effect the Sporades but there are rules that we have to follow from Tuesday. It also concerns the rest of Greece that has less corona virus cases.

–masks will become mandatory everywhere, outside on the street and inside shops and offices.
–A curfew will take effect from 12 o’clock/midnight to 5 a.m in the morning. People that work these hours can be on the streets of course (nurses, doctors, hospital staff, police, fire brigade, ambulance personnel, bakeries, ship personnel etc.
–University classes across the country will be remote and
–remote working will be up until 50%.
–no big group gatherings

In contrast to the spring lockdown,
–travel within the country will not be affected and
–retail shops will stay open.
Source: Ekathimerini

Daily coronavirus cases surged over 1,000 this week, peaking at 1,690 Friday.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis his speech today below here.

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Earthquake north of Samos and the Turkish coast.

On Samos island two children are dead from the collapse of a wall. Six people are recorded dead in Turkeys Izmir area. Many people are wounded.

Seismologists warned that people should expect a series of strong aftershocks to follow the 6.7 Richter earthquake. They urged the public to stay away from ‘distressed’ buildings. A large number of aftershocks have been recorded so far, with the strongest measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale.

The director of the National Observatory of Athens Geodynamics Institute, Akis Tselentis, said that the 6.7-Richter quake was the main tremor but warned that very strong aftershocks as high as 6.2 Richter are expected to follow and that island residents should be extremely cautious, and avoid going near damaged buildings.

Professor of Seismology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Kostas Papazachos stated that the quake was between 6.8 to 7 Richter and that this was why it also caused such serious damage in Turkey.

Source:AMNA.GR(Athens/Macedonian Press Agency)

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The Scramblers are a go; walk to the Agia Marina spring

This is year ten of Skopelos Scramblers and the photo above was the walk to Ag Anna in 2011.

This Sunday, 1st Nov, the group will gather at 10.30am on the shore road at the Ancient Excavation Site/Asclepion.
The walk will climb up to Agia Marina Spring through Mili Village where Muriel will spread out the famous blue checked table cloth for a shared picnic.

The way back will give the walkers a beautiful view of Skopelos Town as they scramble down the ridge one level below the spring and back to the starting point where those who feel they deserve it, will carry on into town for a cup of coffee and discuss next weeks walk.

All are welcome to take part on Skopelos Scramblers Walks and this walk is also ideal for our 4 legged friends.

Any questions phone Muriel Dunlop on 24240 24732

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Greece Moves More Areas to Covid-19 Level 3 ‘Orange’ Alert

The article below from Greek Travel Pages I have copied in total because it gives important information about many areas in Greece that move towards more stringent measures fighting the COVID-19 virus.

Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias tonight announced that nine regional units will move to Covid-19 ‘orange’ risk Level 3 (increased monitoring) on the country’s risk-assessment map as of 6am, Friday, October 30.

The regional units that will move to ‘orange’ status from ‘yellow’ (Level 2) are: Pella, Evros, Xanthi, Halkidiki, Kavala, Kilkis, Pieria and Imathia. Drama moves to ‘orange’ status from ‘green’ (Level 1).

“Dealing with the second wave of the pandemic requires preparedness, vigilance and immediate action. Especially in this phase as the data constantly changes and cases are increasing faster, it is necessary for our strategy to be adjusted accordingly,” Hardalias said during an emergency briefing.

The deputy minister added that the regional units of Arcadia and Messinia will also change status from ‘green’ to ‘yellow’.

Thessaloniki, Rodopi and Larissa go ‘red’ on Friday

Following the announcement that Thessaloniki, Rodopi and Larissa will officially move to Covid-19 ‘red’ risk Level 4 (strict measures), Hardalias said the status change will take place on Friday at 6 am. Thessaloniki currently has 1,955 confirmed cases, Rodopi has 217 and Larissa has 343.

According to the deputy minister, all announced measures for ‘red’ areas will apply as of Friday to Thessaloniki, Rodopi and Larissa, except for the restrictions relating to land, sea and air connections, as well as to travel to/from the specific regional units.

The restrictions relating to travel will go in force as of 6am, Monday, November 2.

Hardalias added that the government will soon re-evaluate the issue of travel for all areas at Level 4.

With Thessaloniki, Rodopi and Larissa moving up to Level 4, Greece will have seven areas placed in ‘red’ status, along with Ioannina, Serres, Kozani and Kastoria.

Due to the increase in the rate of Covid-19 infections in Greece, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis will address the nation on Friday and present new measures.

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) on Thursday reported 1,211 new Covid-19 cases, raising the total number to 35,510 in Greece. The death toll is at 615.

The risk-assessment map allows citizens to track the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Greece and stay up to date with the safety measures by regional unit.

This is the updated map (29 oktober 2020, source:SkiathosLife)

It is reminded that citizens in all regional units that appear as high risk (levels 3-orange and 4-red) on the country’s risk-assessment map must now follow two new measures:

– wear masks everywhere in public (indoors and outdoors)
– stay indoors between 12:30am and 5:00 am (late night curfew)

Skopelos has the Green status at the moment. The head of the municipal board of Skopelos mr. Aneglos Xidaris urges all inhabitants of Skopelos to wear masks in shops and offices, maintain social distancing and use the advised hygiene protocols,

Source: GTP

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On the 28th of October 2020

(Oktober on Skopelos)

Tomorrow it is the 28th of October, also known as ΟΧΙ/No day. It marks the day when General Metaxas rejected an ultimatum given by the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, during World War II. It is a national Greek holiday.

Please look for more information about this very important day in Greek history on this blog by using the search function at the top of the page.

Most shops on Skopelos will be closed, government offices too. Some bars and restaurants are open.

In Greece the second wave of the Covid19 epidemic is also underway and therefore the Greek government has decided not to hold/organize any student or military marches, as is a custom, tomorrow.

In various cities in Greece a curfew from 00.30 until 05.00 is in place. Bars, restaurants etc. face heavy fines if they are not closed by that time. The Greek government has decided that shops, restaurants and bars will remain open during the day and evening, for now, if the management and customers abide by the rules that are implemented.There are a few cities that are in total lock down because there are many Covid-19 patients.Working from home is encouraged.

For the time between 00.30 and 05.00 hours, only people that need to work can be outside around that time.
In other cities masks need to be worn inside shops and offices but also outside on the streets.

(Skopelos village today)

In Europe various countries have fall holidays and we see visitors on the island. The weather is, most days, warm enough to take a swim so on the beaches and in the sea we see locals and visitors enjoying the weather, the beach, the island.

People that have homes here and usually stay for longer periods are reluctant to leave and most times the reason is because of family in other countries (parents, children) that they have to leave. We hope they can come back soon.

Stay safe, stay well everybody, wherever you are.

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Change of the hour

On Sunday morning at 04.00 hours the clock will go back one hour to three o’clock. There will be more light in the morning.

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Earthquake in the sea near Skiathos

A earthquake of a 4.3 magnitude (other sources say 4,4) on the Richter scale was recorded off Skiathos island, 130 km north of Athens, at 11:07 on Sunday morning. According to the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, the epicenter of the quake was in the sea, 4 km south of the island. Tremors were also felt on Skopelos.
Source:press office Athens-Macedonia

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Electricity cut on Sunday the 18th of October

On Sunday morning the 18th of October from 07.30 hours until 12.30 hours there will be a power cut on all the Sporades islands and South Pilion. Maintenance on the central electricity line is the reason.

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Vergina, the land of apricots and an amazing museum.

Today, almost by accident, we visited the famous burial site in Vergina (one hour drive from Thessaloniki)  My husband said we should go and see the area but we did not research anything before we went. Maybe that was a good thing. I have never been so impressed by what I saw in a museum.

Vergina is best known as the site of ancient Aigai (Αἰγαί, Aigaí, Latinized: Aegae), the first capital of Macedon. In 336 BC King Philip II was assassinated in Aigai’s theatre and his son, Alexander the Great, was proclaimed king.

Where was the burial ground of Philip II though? For many years archaeologists looked in Greece. The Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos became convinced that a hill called the Great Tumulus (Μεγάλη Τούμπα) concealed the tombs of the Macedonian kings. In 1977, Andronikos undertook a six-week dig at the Great Tumulus and found four buried tombs, two of which had never been disturbed. Andronikos claimed that these were the burial sites of the kings of Macedon, including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great (Tomb II) and also of Alexander IV of Macedon, son of Alexander the Great and Roxana (Tomb III). Enough information. You have to go and see it. It is one of the most amazing collection of artefacts I ever saw. The museum is housed in the tumulus/the dome. The thought behind the set up of the museum is very clever. What has been found there is of such stunning beauty. The collection is enormous. With Covid 19 present everywhere in the world this now quiet village, that depends on tourists, unfortunately has plenty of time to pick the famous apricots, which trees, surround this beautiful area. There are hardly any visitors which is a terrible shame. Entrance fee 12 euros (every cent worth it) Students free.

Sources:Unesco, World heritage site.

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Greece Unveils Online Map with Covid-19 Risk by Regional Unit

The Greek government has introduced a new online platform that includes a risk-assessment map that enables citizens to track the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country and keep up to date with the latest safety restrictions by regional unit.

The health safety map was presented during Friday’s Covid-19 media briefing and is available on covid19.gov.gr, the official website launched by the Ministry of Digital Governance with information on the measures taken by the Greek government for the pandemic.

Through the online risk-assessment map (in Greek), citizens can check the degree of risk indicated by four levels (traffic light color-coded) for any of the 74 Greek regional units and see what safety restrictions are in force:
Please continue reading here: GTP travel pages

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