SERRES, Greece — The municipality of Serres in northern Greece has decided to impose new emergency measures against the spread of the coronavirus, at a meeting held on Tuesday with the participation of all the relevant local agencies.

Among others, the meeting decided to suspend the operation of all public sports facilities, of all concerts and theatrical plays, as well as municipal dance and fitness classes.

The mayor of Serres, Alexandros Chrysafis, underlined that the top priority is to reduce a spike in infections so as to avoid a lockdown. "The next days are very crucial" he said.

National Public Health Organisation teams will remain in Serres for this week to conduct random sample tests on the population, in an attempt to detect positive cases.

At the same time, the tests at the "Kostopoulio Stegi" retirement home have revealed 19 cases of Covid-19 among the staff and residents. Four elderly people were sent to AHEPA hospital in Thessaloniki on Monday while another three will be sent on Tuesday. The director of the home, in statetements expressed his concern over the situation, underlined that all health protocols are followed, with regular checks on all staff and residents. He also said that those infected were found in one ward. The retirement home hosts 113 people.