ATHENS — The viral load of the novel coronavirus has risen in several regions and municipalities in Greece, said Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias at Friday's televised briefing on the pandemic.

He named in particular the regions of Kozani (especially Eordea and Kozani), Kastoria, Ioannina, Kavala, Imathia (esp. Alexandria), Serres, Kilkis, Zakynthos, Chania and Rethimno.

The minister urged citizens in these regions to remain diligent in observing all safety restrictions, as the weekly and biweekly averages of infections per 100,000 inhabitants are approaching alarming proportions.

The region of Fthiotida and the municipality of Anogia (Rethymno, Crete) in particular will enter red-alert status as of Saturday (March 6). In addition, Larissa's region will no longer be under high-alert status as of 06:00 on Saturday, due to the persistent earthquake activity there, he noted.

The minister also clarified that the restriction of moving with a 2km radius from home does not include car checks at the Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Center (KTEO), provided an appointment is made. The text messaging code is #2, he said.

Finally, Hardalias noted said that both civil and religious weddings are allowed but with a maximum of 9 attendees, including officiating persons and helping staff.

All citizens must remain on high-alert and keep up with health restrictions, until the largest portion of the country's population has been vaccinated, he underlined.