Civil Protection Ministry

The government reshuffle that was announced yesterday was designed to give the government a fresh start after the disastrous August wildfires, yet it was overshadowed by former admiral and former defence minister Evangelos Apostolakis' last-minute decision to reject his appointment as minister in the newly-created Civil Protection Ministry.

The government reshuffle that was announced yesterday was designed to give the government a fresh start after the disastrous August wildfires, yet it was overshadowed by former admiral and former defence minister Evangelos Apostolakis' last-minute decision to reject his appointment as minister in the newly-created Civil Protection Ministry.

By George Gilson

Cabinet reshuffles are most often an attempt to transcend the serious errors of ministers in the handling of crucial issues in order to signal a new beginning for the government, free of the albatrosses of the past.

A special plan with the assistance of anti-terrorist units and the participation of more than 4,000 police officers has been drafted by the Hellenic Police (ELAS), under the instructions of the Civil Protection Ministry, for the storage of the coronavirus vaccines.

Anticipating a possible surge in migrants from the Turkish side of Greece's northeastern border, the leadership of the Hellenic Police (ELAS) has decided to strengthen the area's defenses with the mobilization of additional forces.

The mandatory 14-day quarantine for incoming visitors and returning residents, first introduced on March 16, has been extended to the end of May, Greece's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Monday.

Greece is mulling the introduction of further restrictions to public movement to contain the spread of coronavirus, extending a broad lockdown announced last week after a recent surge in violations, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Wednesday.

On the first day of Greece's nationwide restrictions on movement, authorities expressed satisfaction with the public's response to the toughened lockdown regulations aimed at stemming the spread of the new coronavirus. 

Effective from Monday, those going to or returning from their workplace have to carry a completed form detailing their residence, work address and working hours.

The Hellenic Police (ELAS) is preparing to train additional staff for its 73 regional domestic violence response units, which were created in November last year.

The move is part of a government plan to tackle domestic violence in the country and educate officers on how to handle such cases. Complaints about domestic violence are often underestimated by the authorities.

New Democracy reiterated its pledge on Saturday to impose law and order when it comes to power as attacks by self-styled anarchists against riot police units in the central Exarchia district of Athens continue unabated.