ATHENS — The General Secretariat for Civil Protection on Thursday announced a seven-day extension of restrictive measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus at the municipalities of Xanthi, Miki, Tapiros and Avdira at the Xanthi Region.

These restrictions will come into effect at 06:00 on July 3 until 06:00 on July 10, and include the visits to public services by appointment-only, the mandatory use of face masks in all private businesses and stores, while private and public gatherings of more than 8 people are prohibited during that week.

In addition, the curfew at the villages of Echinos and Miki is extended for the same period of time (June 3-10) from 22:00 until 06:00 every day, as is the suspension of operation of public markets and outdoor trade stalls. All private and public gatherings are also prohibited there, with the exception of family gatherings of first-degree relatives up to 8 people maximum, with mandatory use of face masks and strict observance of personal hygiene protection.

Echinos was placed in strict lockdown for a week on June 18, which was extended for another five days until June 30, following 73 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths registered locally since June 11.