ATHENS — The next 10 days will be very crucial and there should be no complacency, State Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said in an interview with radio Max FM on Thursday, expressing his belief that the measures will have a positive impact and welcoming news that a vaccine may soon be ready.

Gerapetritis was also confident that the situation will allow an easing of the lockdown in December, "gradually and with precautionary measures".

Regarding the development of a vaccine, he said that the first doses should be available from Pfizer by the end of the year and the first doses of an AstraZeneca vaccine in mid-January, so "our estimation is that a crucial group of the population will have been vaccinated by the end of January".

Referring to this year's celebration of the Polytechic uprising on November 17, he said that "we all respect the memory of the Polytechnic, it is a great anniversary for the country and for Democracy, but the politicians and social bodies should understand that this year we are experiencing a totally different reality. It is simply a proof of social responsibility and solidarity not to have a march this year. We did not celebrate Easter, we did not celebrate the 25th of March or OHI Day on October 28," he said, adding: "I can't imagine that there is such a degree of irresponsibility as to organise rallies where people crowd together. The government has elected to not have demostrations but only the laying of wreaths at the monuments."