ATHENS – A second lockdown in Greece aimed at again trying to the resurging spread of COVID-19 has been accompanied by municipal teams going through the capital and neighborhoods disinfecting public spaces.

Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis reluctantly imposed another shutdown of non-essential businesses despite fears it could see mass closings of restaurants and other establishments.

He said he had no choice given the soaring numbers that came perilously close to 3,000 a day, more than 600 higher than only a few weeks before the new lockdown started Nov. 7.

The cleaning and disinfection operation hit especially busy public areas and  squares, sidewalks, metro and train stations, police stations and churches, as well as areas around hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, bakeries..

According to an announcement by the municipality, about 200 employees with the assistance of 80 vehicles were “working feverishly, day and night, actively participating in the effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic and protect public health as much as possible.” 

It wasn't said why that hadn't been done before on a broad scale as there wre imminent signs the pandemic was getting worse and with worry that it could overwhelm the public hospitals.