The COVID-19 pandemic in Greece was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case in Greece was confirmed on 26 February 2020 when a 38-year-old woman from Thessaloniki who had recently visited Νorthern Italy, was confirmed to be infected. Subsequent cases in late February and early March related to people who had travelled to Italy and a group of pilgrims who had travelled to Israel and Egypt, as well as their contacts. The first death from COVID-19 in Greece was a 66-year-old man, who died on 12 March. Since the opening of the Greek borders to tourists at the end of June 2020, the daily number of confirmed cases announced has included those detected following tests at the country's entry points.
Following the confirmation of the first three cases in Greece, all carnival events in the country were cancelled on 27 February 2020. Health and state authorities issued precautionary guidelines and recommendations, while measures up to early March were taken locally and included the closure of schools and the suspension of cultural events in the affected areas (particularly Ilia, Achaea and Zakynthos). On 10 March, with 89 confirmed cases and no deaths in the country, the government decided to suspend the operation of educational institutions of all levels nationwide and then, on 13 March, to close down all cafes, sports leagues bars, museums, shopping centres, sports facilities and restaurants in the country. On 16 March, all retail shops were also closed and all services in all areas of religious worship of any religion or dogma were suspended. The government has announced a series of measures worth a total of around 24 billion euros, 14% of the country's GDP, to support the economy.
On 22 March, the Greek authorities announced restrictions on all non-essential movement throughout the country, starting from 6 a.m. on 23 March. From that date, movement outside the house was permitted only for seven categories of reasons: i) moving to or from one's workplace during work hours, ii) going to the pharmacy or visiting a doctor iii) going to a food store iv) going to the bank for services not possible online, v) assisting a person in need of help vi) going to a major ritual (funeral, marriage, baptism) or movement, for divorced parents, which is essential for contact with their children, and vii) moving outdoors for exercising or taking one's pet out, individually or in pairs. Citizens leaving their homes are required to carry their police ID or passport, as well as a signed attestation in which the purpose or category of travel is stated. The Hellenic Police, the Municipal Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard and the National Transparency Authority are empowered to enforce the restrictions and can issue fines for each offence. On 4 April, these restrictions were extended until 27 April, and on 23 April, they were again extended until 4 May.
The measures put in place in Greece were among the most proactive and strictest in Europe and have been credited internationally for having slowed the spread of the disease and having kept the number of deaths among the lowest in Europe.
Starting from 4 May 2020, after a 42-day lockdown, Greece began to gradually lift restrictions on movement and to restart business activity.
Greece put in place new measures and restrictions on movement and business activity from 7 November 2020. Kindergartens, primary schools and special schools initially remained open, unlike the first lockdown in March, while middle and high schools switched to distance learning. On 14 November 2020, primary schools and kindergartens closed, initially for two weeks, and from 18 November 2020, they switched to distance learning. On 20 November 2020, Greece overtook China in terms of the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. The country reached 100,000 cases on 27 November.
On 14 December 2020, shops (utilizing the click away method) as well as hairdressers and other facilities were allowed to open, while schools and restaurants remained closed. Two weeks later, on 28 December, Greece overtook China in terms of the number of deaths from COVID-19. At the end of 2020, there were nearly 140,000 cases and about 4,800 deaths in the country. On 2 January 2021, starting from the next day, all the measures lifted or relaxed on 14 December were reinstated until 18 January, citing the opening of schools as reason for these measures. However, the government's planned reopening of all schools on 8 or 11 January was criticised by many epidemiologists in the country and, in the end, only primary schools reopened on 11 January, with secondary schools reopening on 1 February.
In late January 2021, case numbers increased. On 12 February 2021, Attica was again placed in lockdown with the closure of lower schools (high schools had already been closed since early November) and retail outlets, but virus cases continued their rapid growth reaching 3,215 on 9 March. Local lockdowns were imposed in more and more local districts. On 4 March, new measures were taken, including placing all of Greece in the highest level of measures. On 5 March, Greece reached 200,000 cases. Approximately half of the prefectures were in the deep red level (full closure of all schools and retail outlets), and on 12 March, all schools were closed for two weeks. The COVID-19 death toll in the country exceeded 10,000 on 25 April. On 3 May, the lockdown ended and measures eased, and on 14 May, Greece, including islands, opened for tourists from several countries. The country reached 300,000 cases on 13 April, 400,000 on 30 May, 500,000 on 3 August, 600,000 on 6 September, 700,000 on 19 October, 800,000 on 9 November, 900,000 on 24 November and a million on 12 December. By the end of 2021, there had been about 1.2 million cases and nearly 21,000 deaths in Greece.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Greece was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case in Greece was confirmed on 26 February 2020 when a 38-year-old woman from Thessaloniki who had recently visited Νorthern Italy, was confirmed to be infected. Subsequent cases in late February and early March related to people who had travelled to Italy and a group of pilgrims who had travelled to Israel and Egypt, as well as their contacts. The first death from COVID-19 in Greece was a 66-year-old man, who died on 12 March. Since the opening of the Greek borders to tourists at the end of June 2020, the daily number of confirmed cases announced has included those detected following tests at the country's entry points.
Following the confirmation of the first three cases in Greece, all carnival events in the country were cancelled on 27 February 2020. Health and state authorities issued precautionary guidelines and recommendations, while measures up to early March were taken locally and included the closure of schools and the suspension of cultural events in the affected areas (particularly Ilia, Achaea and Zakynthos). On 10 March, with 89 confirmed cases and no deaths in the country, the government decided to suspend the operation of educational institutions of all levels nationwide and then, on 13 March, to close down all cafes, sports leagues bars, museums, shopping centres, sports facilities and restaurants in the country. On 16 March, all retail shops were also closed and all services in all areas of religious worship of any religion or dogma were suspended. The government has announced a series of measures worth a total of around 24 billion euros, 14% of the country's GDP, to support the economy.
On 22 March, the Greek authorities announced restrictions on all non-essential movement throughout the country, starting from 6 a.m. on 23 March. From that date, movement outside the house was permitted only for seven categories of reasons: i) moving to or from one's workplace during work hours, ii) going to the pharmacy or visiting a doctor iii) going to a food store iv) going to the bank for services not possible online, v) assisting a person in need of help vi) going to a major ritual (funeral, marriage, baptism) or movement, for divorced parents, which is essential for contact with their children, and vii) moving outdoors for exercising or taking one's pet out, individually or in pairs. Citizens leaving their homes are required to carry their police ID or passport, as well as a signed attestation in which the purpose or category of travel is stated. The Hellenic Police, the Municipal Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard and the National Transparency Authority are empowered to enforce the restrictions and can issue fines for each offence. On 4 April, these restrictions were extended until 27 April, and on 23 April, they were again extended until 4 May.
The measures put in place in Greece were among the most proactive and strictest in Europe and have been credited internationally for having slowed the spread of the disease and having kept the number of deaths among the lowest in Europe.
Starting from 4 May 2020, after a 42-day lockdown, Greece began to gradually lift restrictions on movement and to restart business activity.
Greece put in place new measures and restrictions on movement and business activity from 7 November 2020. Kindergartens, primary schools and special schools initially remained open, unlike the first lockdown in March, while middle and high schools switched to distance learning. On 14 November 2020, primary schools and kindergartens closed, initially for two weeks, and from 18 November 2020, they switched to distance learning. On 20 November 2020, Greece overtook China in terms of the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. The country reached 100,000 cases on 27 November.
On 14 December 2020, shops (utilizing the click away method) as well as hairdressers and other facilities were allowed to open, while schools and restaurants remained closed. Two weeks later, on 28 December, Greece overtook China in terms of the number of deaths from COVID-19. At the end of 2020, there were nearly 140,000 cases and about 4,800 deaths in the country. On 2 January 2021, starting from the next day, all the measures lifted or relaxed on 14 December were reinstated until 18 January, citing the opening of schools as reason for these measures. However, the government's planned reopening of all schools on 8 or 11 January was criticised by many epidemiologists in the country and, in the end, only primary schools reopened on 11 January, with secondary schools reopening on 1 February.
In late January 2021, case numbers increased. On 12 February 2021, Attica was again placed in lockdown with the closure of lower schools (high schools had already been closed since early November) and retail outlets, but virus cases continued their rapid growth reaching 3,215 on 9 March. Local lockdowns were imposed in more and more local districts. On 4 March, new measures were taken, including placing all of Greece in the highest level of measures. On 5 March, Greece reached 200,000 cases. Approximately half of the prefectures were in the deep red level (full closure of all schools and retail outlets), and on 12 March, all schools were closed for two weeks. The COVID-19 death toll in the country exceeded 10,000 on 25 April. On 3 May, the lockdown ended and measures eased, and on 14 May, Greece, including islands, opened for tourists from several countries. The country reached 300,000 cases on 13 April, 400,000 on 30 May, 500,000 on 3 August, 600,000 on 6 September, 700,000 on 19 October, 800,000 on 9 November, 900,000 on 24 November and a million on 12 December. By the end of 2021, there had been about 1.2 million cases and nearly 21,000 deaths in Greece.
Background
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.
The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll. On 28 July it was reported that the reproduction number R for Greece was stable at 0.4, but reportedly R rose to 1.0 in early August.
Timeline
February 2020
On 26 February, the first case in Greece was confirmed. A 38-year-old woman from Thessaloniki, who had recently visited Milan, Northern Italy, tested positive and was admitted to AHEPA University Hospital. Her family, as well as those who came into contact with her, voluntarily isolated themselves.
On 27 February, two new cases in Greece were confirmed. The woman's nine-year-old child tested positive and was admitted to the same hospital as her mother. Additionally, a 40-year-old woman who had travelled to Italy also tested positive and was admitted to Attikon University General Hospital. Following the confirmation of the second and third cases in Greece, it was announced that the 105th Primary School of Thessaloniki, where the first patient's daughter went to school, would close for fourteen days. The Minister of Health, Vasilis Kikilias, also announced that all carnival events would be cancelled throughout Greece.
On 28 February, the fourth case in Greece was confirmed. A 36-year-old woman from Athens who had recently travelled to Italy tested positive and was admitted to the Attikon University General Hospital. Eight state schools were closed as a precautionary measure in Attica to prevent the spread of the virus, and all educational school trips abroad were cancelled.
On 29 February, three new cases in Greece were confirmed. A friend of the 38-year-old woman who was the first case in Greece, was admitted to the AHEPA University Hospital. Additionally, two more people in Athens were admitted to the General Hospital Sotiria, bringing the country total to seven confirmed cases.
March 2020
On 4 March, two new cases were confirmed in Greece. A middle-aged man in close contact with the fifth confirmed case, tested positive and was put in solitary confinement at AHEPA University Hospital. Additionally, a man who had travelled to Israel and Egypt, was admitted to the General University Hospital of Patras, bringing the country total to nine confirmed cases.
On 5 March, 22 new cases were confirmed in Greece. The 66-year-old wife, who was the ninth case in Greece, tested positive and was admitted to the same hospital as her husband. 21 of their fellow travellers also tested positive, bringing the country total to 31 cases.
On 6 March, 14 new cases were confirmed in Greece. Eleven members of the Israel-Egypt travel group, as well as three people who afterwards came in contact with them, tested positive, bringing the country total to 45 confirmed cases. Schools, universities, theaters and cinemas were closed until 22 March in three of the affected areas (Achaea, Elis and Zakynthos).
On 7 March, 21 new cases were confirmed in Greece. Thirteen people in Achaia and Ileia, seven in Attica and one in Euboea tested positive, bringing the country total to 66 confirmed cases.
On 8 March, seven new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 73.
On 9 March, eleven new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 84. Among those cases was the first one to be reported in Lesbos, raising fears that the virus could spread to the island's tightly packed refugee camps.
On 10 March, five new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 89. Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of the football clubs Olympiacos in Greece and Nottingham Forest in England, informed the public via social media that he had contracted the virus, and urged all to follow the orders of health professionals. Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias announced the closure of all educational institutions for 14 days.
On 11 March, ten new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 99. The 66-year-old man hospitalised in Rio was diagnosed with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
On 12 March, 18 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 117. The first two reported cases in Greece, a mother and her child, were released from the hospital, having fully recovered. The 66-year-old patient in Rio died as a result of the virus, which was the first virus-related death in Greece.
On 13 March, 73 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 190. Katerina Sakellaropoulou was sworn in as President of Greece in the Hellenic Parliament and became the first woman to hold the office, succeeding Prokopis Pavlopoulos. Sakellaropoulou suspended the protocol ceremony for the inauguration scheduled for Saturday 14 and no handshakes were allowed.
On 14 March, 38 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 228, while six more were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to eight. A 90-year-old man hospitalised in Ptolemaida died. Also, a 67-year-old man hospitalised in Zakynthos died, bringing the country death toll to three. A change in strategy to only testing the elderly, severely ill and other high-risk groups, as well as healthcare personnel was announced by Dr. Sotiris Tsiodras, the health ministry spokesman on the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 15 March, 103 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 331, while two more were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to ten. A 53-year-old man died from the virus, in AHEPA, bringing the country death toll to four.
On 16 March, 21 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 352.
On 17 March, 35 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 387, while four were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 14. A man died bringing the country death toll to five.
On 18 March, 31 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 418. A total of 6,000 samples had been tested nationally up to this point. A childbirth was recorded, where the mother tested positive for COVID-19 but the child did not.
On 19 March, 46 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 464, while five more were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 19. A 70-year-old man who had been hospitalised in Kastoria, died, bringing the country death toll to six.
On 20 March, 31 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 495. Four more people died, bringing the country death toll to ten.
On 21 March, 35 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 530. Three more people died, bringing the country death toll to 13.
On 22 March, 94 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 624. Two more people died, bringing the country death toll to 15.
On 23 March, 71 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 695, while ten people were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 29. A 64-year-old man at Rio Hospital in Achaea and an elderly man at Sotiria Hospital in Athens died as a result of the virus, bringing the country death toll to 17. During the night, another childbirth was recorded where the mother tested positive for COVID-19.
On 24 March, 48 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 743, while three people were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 32. Three more people died due to the virus, bringing the country death toll to 20. A 40-year-old woman, who had died three days previously, was found to have been positive for the virus making her, by far, the youngest victim of the pandemic in Greece. The new President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, declared she was going to address the nation on the evening of the 24th regarding both the COVID-19 pandemic and the 25th of March Independence Day celebrations.
On 25 March, 78 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 821, while four people were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 36. Two more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 22.
On 26 March, 71 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 892, while six people were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 42. Four more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 26.
On 27 March, 74 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 966, while ten people were released from hospitals, bringing the recovered total to 52. Two more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 28.
On 28 March, 95 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 1,061. Four more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 32.
On 29 March, 95 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the county total to 1,156, while one person was released from Alexandroupoli University hospital, bringing the recovered total to 53. Six more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 38. The first case of coronavirus was reported of a monk in Mount Athos.
On 30 March, 56 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the county total to 1,212. Five more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 43.
On 31 March, 102 new cases were confirmed in Greece, bringing the country total to 1,314. Six more deaths from coronavirus were reported, bringing the country death toll to 49. 20 of the cases are aboard a passenger ship stationed outside the port of Piraeus. It carried 382 people, including 36 Greeks, 150 Turks, 83 Indonesians and others. Some of the people were Turkish workers traveling to Spain but the ship was turned back to Turkey when the cases were identified. It was not accepted in Turkey and since 21 March has been outside Piraeus.