Greece

ATHENS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- After the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, China reiterated during the just-concluded "Two Sessions" its determination to further increase trade and investment ties with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Greek officials, experts and entrepreneurs told Xinhua here in recent interviews that Greece-China cooperation under the BRI will undoubtedly progress with strong momentum to the benefit of both sides.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — One by one, the children and adults line up for the centuries-old ritual of Holy Communion, trying to keep a proper social distance. The priest dips a spoon into the chalice of bread and wine, which the faithful believe is the body and blood of Christ, and puts it into the mouth of the first person in line.

Then, with a move that would alarm an epidemiologist, he dips the spoon back into the chalice and then into the next person’s mouth.

Again and again, through the entire congregation.

ATHENS, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The Greek tourist season will kick off next month, with international charter flights to popular locations resuming in July, the prime minister says.

“The tourism period begins on 15 June, when seasonal hotels can reopen,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a televised address.

“Let us make this summer the epilogue of the [Covid-19] crisis,” he added.

The coronavirus pandemic threatens to ruin Greece’s tourism industry, which is vital to the country’s economy.

ATHENS, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Canadian military helicopter operating as part of a NATO surveillance force has gone missing in international waters between Greece and Italy, officials said.

The helicopter was attached to the Canadian frigate Fredericton, from where it had taken off for a patrol.

“There is a developing situation regarding one of our CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, deployed onboard HMCS FREDERICTON, which is currently contributing to Op REASSURANCE,” the Canadian armed forces said in a statement.

ATHENS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Greece reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 infection and five new deaths over the past 24 hours, raising the total confirmed cases to 2,490 and 130 dead, fresh figures showed on Friday.

According to the Greek Health Ministry's coronavirus spokesman and infectious diseases professor Sotirios Tsiodras, among the new infections were patients and employees at a private clinic in western Athens.

ATHENS, April 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of Greek healthcare workers demonstrated against working conditions and manpower and equipment shortages in public hospitals fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tuesday demonstrations coincided with World Health Day, according to the federation of hospital personnel.

“You only saw us when we covered our faces,” proclaimed a poster printed by hospital trade unions, bearing a picture of doctors wearing anti-coronavirus masks.

PIRAEUS, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Greek ferry "Eleftherios Venizelos" with 119 confirmed cases on board has docked at Piraeus port, as the Greek government started on Friday the transfer to the shore of 261 passengers who tested negative for the novel coronavirus, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

According to the report, the 119 infected will remain on board for a 14-day quarantine.

The ferry had anchored outside the harbor since March 22, barred from docking as part of measures to restrict the spread of the virus.

ATHENS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his gratitude on Tuesday to all those who have helped in Greece's battle against the novel coronavirus epidemic.

He made the remark at a ceremony at the Athens international airport where 8.3 million surgical masks arrived from China.

They were the second batch of a total of 13.5 million masks purchased and donated by the Onassis Foundation in Greece to the Greek state to be delivered to hospitals nationwide, according to an e-mailed press statement issued by the Prime Minister's office.

ATHENS, March 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greece imposed restrictions on the movement of migrants living in overcrowded camps on islands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the migration ministry said.

Over the next 30 days, people living in camps will be allowed to temporarily exit the facilities only in small groups, every hour between 0700 and 1900 (0500-1700 GMT), in order to obtain food and supplies from nearby towns and villages.

Only one person from each family will be allowed to leave the camps.

ATHENS, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU says it will pay €2,000 each to migrants in overcrowded camps on the Greek islands willing to go back to their home countries.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced the scheme in Athens. It was agreed with the Greek government.

She said it was temporary – open for one month only – and only for migrants who arrived before Jan 1.

She said 5,000 migrants would be eligible for the “voluntary return”.