The most important news from Greece refer to COVID-19 and the refugee crisis at the Greek-Turkish border. Today, the topic is related to the spreading of the virus in Greece.

Φωτογραφία από Pete Linforth από το Pixabay

Τhe Ministry of Health (Υπουργείο Υγείας) confirmed that there are thirty-one cases of coronavirus (κορονοϊός). Twenty-one of them are travelers who returned from a religious pilgrimage (θρησκευτικό προσκύνημα) to Israel. The Greek government is making efforts to delay the virus spreading: it has designated sever referral hospitals (νοσοκομεία αναφοράς) across Greece and has placed isolation boxes as first reception areas for patients who show symptoms of the virus. Ιn addition, many schools have been closed. ΕΟΔΥ (EODY, National Public Health Organization) keeps updating their site with announcements (ανακοινώσεις) and guidelines (οδηγίες) related to the virus.

So far there is no advice for travelers to postpone their trip to Greece for reasons related to the spreading of COVID-19. However, there are a few suggestions about how to decrease the possibilities of getting the virus:

• Μην αγγίζετε το πρόσωπό σας. Do not touch your face.
• Πλένετε τα χέρια σας τακτικά με σαπούνι και νερό τουλάχιστον για είκοσι δευτερόλεπτα. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least twenty seconds.
• Αν δεν έχετε πρόσβαση σε νερό και σαπούνι (βρίσκεστε στο μετρό), χρησιμοποιήστε αντισηπτικό υγρό ή μαντιλάκια. If you have no access to water and soap (you are in the metro), use an antiseptic liquid or tissues.
• Αν έχετε ύποπτα συμπτώματα, μην πάτε στο νοσοκομείο. Καλέστε τον ΕΟΔΥ και ακολουθήστε τις οδηγίες που θα σας δώσεουν. If you have suspicious symptoms, do not go to a hospital. Dial 2105212054 and follow their instructions.

The pharmacies in Greece are not open 24 hours a day. Most of them remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.

In any case, the spreading of panic (η εξάπλωση του πανικού) could be worse than the virus itself.

Φωτογραφία από Martin Slavoljubovski από το Pixabay

Links:

Greek news: https://www.skaitv.gr/shows/enimerosi

EODY (National Public Health Organization) : https://eody.gov.gr/neos-koronaios-covid-19/

Find a pharmacy on duty here: http://www.fsa.gr/duties.asp

Γεια σας! The Greek government considers to end the lock down measures soon, as long as there is no increase of the coronavirus cases. However, social distancing (κοινωνική απόσταση) is still important. In this post, there are some words and phrases about this topic.

απομάκρυνση (η): distancing
απόσταση (η): distance
συνάθροιση (η): gathering
συναθροίζομαι: to gather
συνωστισμός (ο): overcrowding
κρατάω απόσταση δύο μέτρων: keep a two meter- distance
προσέχω την φορά του αέρα: to notice the direction of the wind
καλύπτω το πρόσωπό μου: to cover my face
χρησιμοποιώ αντισηπτικό: to use an antiseptic
πλησιάζω: to approach
αποφεύγω: to avoid

Φράσεις (Phrases)

Πηγαίνετε πιο πίσω, παρακαλώ. / Please, step back.
Most pharmacists and grocery stores keep a distance between the checkout and the customers. This is phrase could be used if a customer comes too close.
Να μπαίνετε ένας ένας, παρακαλώ. / This phrase means “come in one by one”. It could be used if a group of people gets into a shop.
Μπορείτε να αφήσετε τα πράγματα έξω. / You can leave the things (i.e. the groceries) outside.
This is what we say to the deliverers if we want them not to enter the house.
Θα ήθελα ανέπαφη παράδοση. / I would like intact delivery.
We can use this phrase when we order food or groceries.
Πώς μπορώ να αφήσω φιλοδώρημα στον διανομέα; / How can I leave the deliverer a tip?
Most deliveres and customers prefer to avoid contact as much as possible. Some online delivery applications give customers the option to pay extra money as a tip to the deliverer, provided the transaction is online. In case we do not have this option, we can call the store and say that we want to pay by credit card or via e-banking and want to leave a tip. I know it sounds complicated but it is worth. Along with doctors and nurses, deliverers, truck drivers and many others are the heroes of this crisis.