"While the figures show that even now Greece is among the countries with a better epidemiological picture, the coronavirus cases are showing exponential growth in Greece," government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said, starting his briefing to the press on Monday. "The condition in Thessaloniki, in some neighboring regions, is extremely serious for public health. The health minister, Vassilis Kikilias, this morning visited the city, for which an emergency plan has been set in motion," he said.

First day of application of the additional restrictive measures in Kozani due to the "explosion" of coronavirus cases observed in recent days, with hundreds of close contacts already in quarantine under house confinement. (video from kozanilife.gr)

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a renewed call to the Greek public to observe health measures against the dispersion of the novel coronavirus, in a televised message on Thursday afternoon that focused on "a new vigilance without new measures, but with serious observance of measures already in effect."