ATHENS — "We will be in every square, in every district and every market in order to deal responsibly and cooperatively, together with the citizens, with this huge and dangerous enemy that has appeared in our lives in recent months," underlined Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis in statements on Wednesday, after a meeting with Hellenic Police officers at the Thessaloniki Police headquarters.

"The city of Thessaloniki is being tested and masks raise a wall against the invisible enemy. Those who respect themselves and care about other people, and who love their city, are wearing masks," the minister said.

Chrisochoidis said that the police are present in the battle against COVID-19 and are carrying out thousands of inspections every day. "We have no desire to argue with our compatriots but we are not going to tolerate a few irresponsible individuals that are creating major problems by violating the orders and instructions of the epidemiologists, who are the most competent to issue such instructions," he added.