ATHENS —  "The measures we have taken during the pandemic are as balanced as possible in terms of respect for rights and freedoms, and at the same time protective of public health, the health of citizens. They should not lean to one side or the other, they should be neither too strict nor too lax," Minister of State Akis Skertsos said on Wednesday in an interview with Skai radio station.

He reiterated the goal "to protect the health of citizens and the health of the economy", stressing the need to vaccinate, especially vulnerable citizens. "Public health or the health of the economy is not endangered by the disease of children. The primary goal is to vaccinate our 600,000 fellow citizens who are over 60 years old and remain unvaccinated," he added.

As for the 12-17 age group, he said: "Currently, one in five children aged 12-17, that is, 150,000 children, have chosen to be vaccinated. This percentage is important."

Skertsos gave assurances that the government is acting according to a plan. "We are examining how the rest of the world, the rest of Europe operates, we plan and implement policies that are very well balanced," he underlined.