ATHENS — "We believe that this year's Easter will mark the country's transition to the post-pandemic era and the entry into a new period of strong recovery," government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni said on Tuesday during a press briefing.

"Unfortunately, in this year also, the extended pandemic does not allow us to celebrate according to our traditions and customs. The common goal now is to have a safe Easter so that we can have a free summer," she said.

"With this in mind, the ban on travel from region to region throughout the territory was extended until Monday, May 10. It is also known that the viral load remains high in urban centers and that there is a risk of it spreading in the regions, where the capacity of the national health system is different."

Regarding the pandemic and vaccinations, the government spokesperson noted that "it is positive that in recent days there has been a gradual – but still slow – de-escalation of new cases, hospital admissions, and intubations. However, it seems that we are already on the road to return to the future. And it is everyone's duty to be a little more patient, to observe the protection measures and not to be complacent. So as to prevent any possibility of a new outbreak, to protect our health and the health of our relatives, and to reach freedom more quickly from the pandemic.

"We already have the weather and the self-diagnosis tests as our ally, but also – above all – the vaccinations that continue in an exemplary way and at an intensive pace."

She added: "So let us all – government, political parties, Church, social and professional bodies – appeal to those who could and have not yet done so, to enter the platform and make their own vaccination appointment. It is not right to lose lives while they can be saved. The best vaccine – as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed yesterday – is the fastest vaccine. Therefore, let everyone, especially older people, hurry to get it done as soon as possible."