ATHENS – Just when it seemed that COVID-19 was just about forgotten and the pandemic was behind, an increase in respiratory viral infections has led Greek health authorities to recommend wearing masks again in crowded areas.

Also, hand antiseptics commonly used during the pandemic, to take tests in case of respiratory symptoms and getting vaccination booster shots for COVID and to make sure they are inoculated against the flu.

That’s especially true for people at risk, those with multiple health conditions, the elderly or others susceptible to viral illnesses, while medical and hospital staff were also advised to keep wearing masks.

The recommendations were issued after a regular meeting of the Health Ministry’s Committee of Experts which examined the latest epidemiological data on the still present Coronavirus, although health restrictions were lifted in 2022 to lure tourists and spur an economic comeback.

The data showed an increase in respiratory illnesses during the flu season, particularly among the young, leading to some hospitalizations while numbers from the public hospital workers POEDIN showed 1,027 people hospitalized with COVID, less than half the beds set aside to deal with that illness.

Crowds during the holiday season that saw streets jammed with shoppers and family gatherings as well as packed restaurants, bars and tavernas, as well as in supermarkets created the potential to spread viral illnesses as well.