"We are joining forces to finally defeat the coronavirus pandemic," he said from Thessaloniki., the Minister of Civil Protection, Takis Theodorikakos, after the meeting, which he had on Saturday afternoon at the police station, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Interior Stavros Kalafatis, with representatives of the local government, of local authorities and the catering industry and with the leadership of ELAS, on new measures to address the pandemic.
The Minister of Civil Protection, Referring to the first day of implementation of the new measures against the pandemic, he stressed that they will be implemented "immediately" and "with absolute justice" and urged those citizens who have not yet been vaccinated, to put aside any objections and do so "so that we can all enter into normal life together" and "to make our lives freer again".
What was agreed at the meeting
The framework of the controls was agreed at the meeting, in order to "avoid any complacency and relaxation" in the face of the pandemic, at a time when some sick citizens are fighting for their survival in the ICU and for "saving lives". Mr.. Theodorikakos pointed out that he has given an order to the Hellenic Police. to intensify controls, called on all stakeholders to do the same and called on citizens to adhere to personal hygiene and protection measures. He made special reference to business owners, who will have to do meticulous checks, so that everyone who enters shops and restaurants is vaccinated, or have a disease certificate and added: "EL.AS and the National Transparency Authority are in cooperation to comply with the measures".
"As of today, our fellow citizens who have been vaccinated, or are sick can freely enter normal life in all stores, in all restaurants in the restaurant, everywhere "said Mr.. Theodorikakos, stressing that for this very reason controls are needed for the consistent implementation of measures to protect public health and added that: "We are joining forces, we are multiplying and intensifying the controls, so that the measures are implemented promptly and with absolute justice ".
At the meeting, under the Minister, at the General Police Directorate of Thessaloniki participated, also, the Undersecretary of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace) Stavros Kalafatis, the governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, the general secretary of the Thessaloniki Catering Association, Michalis Epitropidis, the head of the Greek Police, Lieutenant General Michael Karamalakis, the Inspector General of Police of Northern Greece, Lieutenant General Konstantinos Skoumas and the General Police Director of Thessaloniki, Lieutenant General Lazaros Mavropoulos.
Mr.. Theodorikakos in his statements after the meeting pointed out that the police have an important task to perform in this effort, as, more than eight thousand police officers carry out these checks on a daily basis and according to the police chief 95% of infringements, which have been noted, have been recorded by ELAS ". particularly, for Thessaloniki, as he said, Five hundred police officers are active every day to ensure compliance. The minister stated that this is already happening and will continue with separate levels of the police, but also with mixed scales, in which the Transparency Authority also participates, in cooperation with the regions, municipalities and institutions.
"The message is: Reinforce these controls and let everyone know that the ladders will be unstoppable, there will be justice. "The law is a law and must be applied by all," said Mr.. Theodorikakos and continued: "I want, With this opportunity, to call the other fellow citizens who may have doubts, others are afraid, others think so, others are under the regime of various misunderstandings: Get vaccinated, to enter into normal life together, get vaccinated to make our lives freer again ".
Asked by a journalist about the festive three days of the feast of the patron saint of Thessaloniki Agios Dimitrios and the anniversary of October 28, Mr.. Theodorikakos stated that regarding the conditions under which the celebration will take place, there will be announcements from the government in the near future..
He added, Nevertheless, that "if these measures succeed, things will be much better, in view of the three-day celebration ". "But, repeat, the government will take the decisions and separate announcements will be made ", the minister added.
To another question, for the attitude of the police in the recent events at EPAL Stavroupolis, Mr.. Theodorikakos stated that she "is characterized by responsibility, seriousness, efficiency "and added :
"It simply came to our notice then, that this government of ND, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, under no circumstances will it allow a Nazi to exist again, criminal organization. This is absolutely clear, Greece is a free one, democratic country, with all the ideas, in all respects, with absolute polyphony, but here Nazis, criminal organizations are not allowed.
"Request, to make us all realize, that the only safe "weapon" and effective, is the vaccination "said the Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia - Thrace) Stavros Kalafatis and added: "Let's listen to the experts so that not a single day is lost".
"PKM we are here to support the work of ELAS, where and as needed, in order for these measures to be implemented ", added the governor K.. Of Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas and continued : "And of course, It is important to understand the importance and significance of vaccination. The sooner we are vaccinated, the faster we will conquer the freedoms we had in the past ". He pointed out the need to intensify the public debate and information by experts, to answer any questions and objections citizens still have and to convince them of the value of vaccination.
"We are happy, that from today there is a full return to normalcy "said the mayor of Thessaloniki K.. Zervas, clarifying that this is the case for vaccinated people, or those who are ill and added: "This is the best guide, on the one hand a return to normalcy, on the other hand not to create problems in the city and in our society. Urge, Well, my liaisons, the citizens, to increase vaccination rates ". Write down, that the municipal police in cooperation with ELAS and the other authorities will contribute to the implementation of the measures.
From his side, the general secretary of the restaurant association in Thessaloniki, Michalis Epitropidis noted that above 80% people in the industry are vaccinated, estimated that with the efforts made this percentage will rise even more, maybe in 90%, while he was in favor of the new measures and stressed that professionals will also help in their proper implementation.
Source: ethnos.gr
