Author Topic: Corona - Kefalonia updates  (Read 6144 times)

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Offline Karavados

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Corona - Kefalonia updates
« on: Thursday, 19 March, 2020 @ 18:12:00 »
 Hi,
thanks for posting these sort of updates ... but ... how about creating a specific topic named ' Corona - kefalonia updates' and asking people to post information about the status on the island in relation to the impacts of the virus ?

I don't think I'm alone in seeking updated info about ... what's closed ...shopping ... status of businesses ... hotels ...transport , what is still functioning about as normal ( for kef. anyway ! ) etc, etc

A specific topic would be very helpful.   :dunno:

Thanks

Online Maik

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #1 on: Thursday, 19 March, 2020 @ 21:17:13 »
There we go - feel free to keep us posted on what's usefully open  :)

Offline Alan

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #2 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 09:16:47 »
Near us (Katelios) the supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations are of course open, and Elios taverna is open 6 nights a week for takeaways only. Not much else! In Lakithra Lord Byron is open for deliveries.

Offline HiFi

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #3 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 11:00:21 »
This is not exhaustive…just a guide. Supermarkets, foodmarkets & mini markets, pharmacies, car repair shops, pet food shops and petrol stations remain open together with bakeries, grill houses and coffee shops for take-away or delivery only. Pretty much everything else is required to remain closed.

To leave your property my understanding of the legislation is that it allows you to go to work at any essential work that is open, visit any of the above premises (and any I’ve missed) to purchase goods, go out for or help with medical treatment, or walk your dogs etc.

The roads and streets including Argostoli are extremely quite.

I have seen no queues at supermarkets…in fact the ones I use are much quieter than usual. There is “stocking up” going on but panic buying is rare. Some shelves are a little sparser than normal but not stripped bare of all products.
Some supermarkets give you a number as you enter which you return when you leave. This ensures they comply with the requirement of no more than one customer in the store for every 10 square metres of floor space. Some have marked out the floor into 2 metre sections to help you keep the minimum distance from other customers. Some have security outside.

A number of people are wearing gloves and / or face masks.

Generally everything is calm and relaxed although it is clear that generally people are more anxious about the weeks ahead than the present.

Offline Karavados

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #4 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 18:49:43 »
 :unsure:Coronavirus: Only Permanent Residents Will Travel to the Islands from 6AM tomorrow 21st March

  https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/coronavirus-proposed-only-permanent-residents-will-travel-to-the-islands-from-6am-tomorrow-21st-march

Seems there's some idea about restricting who can arrive on the island.  I'm not sure if this is just a rumour or a real offical decision.   :unsure:

Offline Karavados

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #5 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 19:01:41 »

 And ...

The government is considering stopping all flights to and from Greece from Sunday night

   https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/the-government-is-considering-stopping-all-flights-to-and-from-greece-from-sunday-night

Again, could be speculation or rumour ? Sorry is I'm spreading rumour , just trying to get some useful info.   :dunno:

Offline BeeTee

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #6 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 19:30:38 »
:unsure:Coronavirus: Only Permanent Residents Will Travel to the Islands from 6AM tomorrow 21st March

  https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/coronavirus-proposed-only-permanent-residents-will-travel-to-the-islands-from-6am-tomorrow-21st-march

Seems there's some idea about restricting who can arrive on the island.  I'm not sure if this is just a rumour or a real offical decision.   :unsure:

Some info here...

http://www.ekathimerini.com/250865/article/ekathimerini/news/government-bans-travel-to-the-islands-for-non-residents

Offline Karavados

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #7 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 19:55:43 »

  http://www.ekathimerini.com/250865/article/ekathimerini/news/government-bans-travel-to-the-islands-for-non-residents
Says ...
  Shipping Minister Giannis Plakiotakis announced on Friday that only permanent residents and supply trucks will be allowed to travel to the Aegean islands,

 seems for now the info relates to shipping only ?? and the only the Aegean islands ??  but perhaps clearer info will be published in the coming days ?  :dunno:

Offline BeeTee

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #8 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 20:01:21 »

 And ...

The government is considering stopping all flights to and from Greece from Sunday night

   https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/the-government-is-considering-stopping-all-flights-to-and-from-greece-from-sunday-night

Again, could be speculation or rumour ? Sorry is I'm spreading rumour , just trying to get some useful info.   :dunno:

Link from another thread 'Travel to Greece' gives some info...
http://en.protothema.gr/coronavirus-lockdown-no-flights-to-from-greece-starting-from-sunday/

Online Maik

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #9 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 21:00:22 »
As suspected, having a separate thread for Kefalonia might confuse some as much of the information applies to the whole of Greece.

The news in the media isn't entirely clear: according to ekathimerini.com,

Quote
"Shipping Minister Giannis Plakiotakis announced on Friday that only permanent residents and supply trucks will be allowed to travel to the Aegean islands, in a bid to ban the unnecessary movement of people within the country and halt the spread of the new coronavirus.

People from the mainland who are already on the islands will be allowed to return. The ban will come into force from 6 a.m. this Saturday, the minister said."

However, the Athens Macedonia News Agency makes no distinction about which group of islands:

Quote
Shipping and Island Policy Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis, in cooperation with Deputy Minister for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias, on Friday announced measures for ferry routes in the context of the measures against the spread of the coronavirus.

In this context, from Saturday March 21, only permanent island residents and supplies will be allowed to travel on the ferries, and those that wish to depart from the islands on the return journey.

The relevant decisions are due to be issued shortly.

As BeeTee points out, news re flights is covered in the Travel to Greece thread.






Online Maik

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #10 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 21:14:53 »
Be it the Aegean islands or all Greek islands, which sounds more likely, IMO, the reason for the ferry travel ban is to stop people potentially carrying coronavirus from spreading it to areas with no known cases:

Quote
Government stresses risks of fleeing cities

The government on Friday could not stress enough the perils of leaving cities for the islands and countryside ostensibly to escape the spreading coronavirus epidemic, with the prime minister and other officials warning Greeks to stay put.

“Let’s break the chain of coronavirus contagion. Let’s show personal responsibility and strictly follow the guidelines. We do not congregate. We do not move. We keep our distance. We stay home!,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a post on Twitter.

His message also included a video reminding citizens to restrict their movements outside the home to essential outings to the supermarket or the bank, for example, while stressing that while walking outdoors is permitted, this should not be done alone or in twos.

Government spokesman Stelios Petsas also sent a terse message on Friday evening, saying that choosing to move temporarily to the islands or the countryside constitutes “antisocial behavior.”

“We all need to understand that we may be infected with the virus without showing any symptoms. And in the meantime, we will be spreading the virus to communities across the Greece,” Petsas said, stressing that citizens leaving their home base are endangering themselves by moving to an area where they cannot receive the same level or treatment as in a city in the case that they become sick, as well as putting the communities there at risk.

“People choosing to escape to their villages need to act as though they already have the virus – to avoid all contact and stay at home, at all cost,” he said.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/250881/article/ekathimerini/news/government-stresses-risks-of-fleeing-cities

Online Maik

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #11 on: Friday, 20 March, 2020 @ 21:36:37 »
Quote
School closures extended until April 10 due to coronavirus

A Joint Ministerial Decision, expected to be published tomorrow, will extend the closure on schools of all grades, and the suspension of all educational excursions at home and abroad, until April 10, due to coronavirus.
http://en.protothema.gr/school-closures-extended-until-april-10-due-to-coronavirus/

Offline HiFi

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Re: Corona - Kefalonia updates
« Reply #12 on: Saturday, 21 March, 2020 @ 06:38:03 »
Levante Ferries & KTEL buses both state that passenger travel to all islands is for permanent residents proved by tax certificate.

Offline Jolly Roger

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