ATHENS — "The epidemiological situation in the country has deteriorated," government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni said on Thursday during a press briefing.

"In the last 10 days there has been an increase in cases and a significant drop in the average age of our fellow citizens infected with the virus, down to 27 years. In the southern areas of Athens, where a particularly high rate of positivity is found, 66 pct of the cases are aged 15-24 years old," she said.

"More than half of the cases in young people under the age of 30 have been found by track and trace to be related to places of entertainment," she added.

The government spokesperson stated that, based on these figures, stricter measures will be enforced in restaurants, bars, clubs and nightclubs as of Thursday. "These places will operate with people seated only and with the capacity restrictions set by the development ministry," she said.

The goal for the next period is to convince those who still hesitate or doubt the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines to make use of the privilege of vaccination, Peloni stressed.

"We are in a new phase of the pandemic. We have in our hands a shield that we did not have in the previous phase: the vaccine, to which all citizens have universal, free and direct access. Vaccines are effective, they work, they protect us all. Those who have not yet done so should get vaccinated immediately," Peloni stated.