ATHENS — "The government is now facing the pandemic as a matter of public safety, proposing repressive measures," SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance spokesman Nassos Iliopoulos said on Wednesday to Radio 1 Magnesia 102.5, on the occasion of yesterday's decision to ban gatherings of more than 100 people.

He said that such a move "has nothing to do with the protection of public health, at a time when the president of the World Medical Association has stated that most coronavirus infections occur on trains, buses and workplaces."

But "the government denies the reality" and "instead of taking measures to enhance public health, such as requisitioning private clinics, it bans rallies." He said that the decision is directly related to the planned mobilization of students and teachers on Thursday against the changes the government is planning for universities.

Regarding the economic consequences of the pandemic, he reiterated that "Greece had the largest recession in the eurozone countries in 2020 and the second largest loss of income for workers", stressing the need for immediate effective measures to support businesses and employees, otherwise the current market opening will just be a 'bridge' for more padlocks and higher unemployment."