ATHENS – Greek police are stepping up inspections of businesses and checking people to make sure they're following health protocols aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 and did more than 40,000 inspections in one day alone on Sept. 16.

That came as the New Democracy government was set to impose a semi-lockdown after cases spiraled almost of control and the number of deaths and those being put into Intensive Care Units (ICU's) also jumped markedly.

Officers recorded 196 instances of individuals not wearing face masks or not observing physical distancing in public places, said Kathimerini, but it wasn't said if they were fined 150 euros ($177.64) as the law allows.

Another eight violations were recorded involving businesses that failed to ensure health protocols were being observed on their premises or defied a midnight curfew but it wasn't reported if they were fined or temporarily closed.

Defiance of health measures as well as opening the border to tourists beginning in July has seen cases soaring, now often passing 300 daily, with worries it could even get as high as 1,000 with flu season approaching and bring a tighter lockdown.