THESSALONIKI — The animals at a mink farm in Thessaloniki's Pylaia-Hortiati municipality are Covid-free, the Central Macedonia Region deputy governor for the rural economy, Sotiris Batos, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) on Monday.

Random samples were taken from the minks at the farm after the disease was detected at similar units in Western Macedonia, all of which have been negative.

He said the region's veterinary services will continue to closely monitor the condition of the animals and test on a weekly basis to "avoid unpleasant surprises".

The specific unit, which has between 1,200 and 1,300 minks, does not have a licence but meets legal requirements for livestock facilities and is obliged to get a licence by December 2022.