Niki Kerameus

Greek Archbishop Ieronymos requested an exemption from coronavirus curfew measures in a letter to the Education and Religion Minister Niki Kerameus on Thursday, asking to carry on liturgies on a normal schedule, behind closed doors.

The request comes as a joint ministerial decision suspending all religious services expires on March 30.

All services in all places of worship, regardless of religion or dogma, are suspended until March 30, the Greek government announced on Monday evening, as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

The operation of all places of worship, regardless of religion or dogma, is suspended until March 30, the Greek government announced on Monday evening, as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Τhe Education Ministry on Friday announced it was launching digital tools that will enable distance learning, to overcome the challenge of school closures due to the coronavirus.

Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Tuesday announced the closure of all schools and universities to close for 14 days as part of efforts to contain spread of coronavirus. 

The decision relates to all state and public schools, kindergartens and universities, Kikilas said, adding that the measure is preventive and aimed at reducing the spread of the virus. 

A planned visit to Greece later this month by a delegation of representatives from 30 American universities interested in exploring the prospects for cooperation with Greek educational institutions has been put off indefinitely due to concerns about the ongoing spread of the coronavirus, Kathimerini understands.

The Greek authorities have taken every measure to protect the country against the spread of the new coronavirus, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Monday, as the death toll in neighboring Italy climbed to five.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus paid a visit to the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios on Friday and also visited the Greek Orthodox Lyceum in the Phanar (known in Greek as the Great School of the Nation), the Zappeion School, as well as the Zografeion Lyceum.

Kerameus told Vartholomaios she visited the schools in order to express the support of her ministry.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus yesterday condemned the attack on Monday on a teenager by fellow pupils at a high school in Vyronas, eastern Athens. 

"The Ministry of Education will be relentless toward such behavior," Kerameus said during a visit to the school. She said a team of psychologists and social workers would be sent to the school.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus said on Friday that one of the students involved in an attack against a teen in a school in Athens' Vyronas neighbourhood on Thursday was the son of one of the school teachers.

Speaking to ANT1 TV on Friday, the minister said the student in question was suspended for two days, while some of the other suspected attackers will change school.