No full lockdown on the unvaccinated, PM says

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday ruled out a full lockdown that would only affect the unvaccinated, in an interview with British broadcaster ITV during a visit to London.

“We have a strict policy but we will not go as far as Austria,” he told the Good Morning Britain show, referring to measures introduced by Vienna recently that seriously curb the movements of people who have not taken up the Covid-19 vaccine.

Greece, said the prime minister, “relies heavily on testing” and has imposed measures banning the unvaccinated from restaurants and other “Covid-free” venues.

“The vaccine passports are working,” he said of the measures, which allow people with certificates of immunity complete freedom.

Since new restrictions went into place two weeks ago demanding negative rapid and PCR tests from all unvaccinated people seeking service at places like cafes, bars and retail stores, Greece has “seen a significant uptake on vaccinations,” Mitsotakis said. The combination of different measures appears to be an “effective strategy,” he added.

The Greek prime minister conceded that the national health system “is under a lot of pressure” and said that the government is “trying to help our doctors and nurses address this spike.” 

“But nine out of 10 patients in intensive care beds right now are unvaccinated and it’s a real pity,” he added.

On a more optimistic note, Mitsotakis appeared confident of a “Covid-free summer,” and urged Britons to “book their holidays as soon as possible.”