Orthodox Easter is on May 2nd and very few people will be travelling for the second successive year. A drip-drip of ministerial leaks and utterances have prepared us for the non-surprise announcement by the Prime Minister yesterday, an unfortunate date as 21st April 1967 was the date of Greece’s last military coup.
The date for the resumption of “inter-regional” travel has been set for May 15th, coincidentally the day the country opens its doors to international tourism. It is hard to avoid the cynical conclusion that we have been locked in our homes for the benefit of tourism. What would happen if all international travel were banned on May 1st? It is certain we would be confined to barracks until further notice. Currently, we are not even allowed to make “inter-municipal journeys”.
I read in today’s Daily Mail (so it must be true) that the UK has dropped out of an unenviable Top 20 – countries with the highest death rates per 100,000 people. Of relevance to Greece is that the following seven countries ARE on the list. I have put their position and death rate in the table below.
| Country | Position | Deaths per 100,000 |
| Bulgaria | 2nd | 338 |
| North Macedonia | 6th | 283 |
| Serbia | 8th | 261 |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | 10th | 245 |
| Moldova | 12th | 231 |
| Romania | 13th | 229 |
| Albania | 17th | 206 |
Three of these countries have borders with Greece, and many of their citizens choose Greece for their summer holidays. Greece, particularly northern Greece, is an attractive destination because it easy to get here by road. However, with no travel ban on the above countries, one wonders what the infection rates will be in October. Fortunately, the vaccination program is going well; I received my first shot on 20th April, my second being scheduled for 14th May, the day before the grand opening.
New Covid cases are stubbornly remaining between 3,000 and 4,000 daily. 86 died yesterday and around 850 are intubated.
Returning to the PM’s announcement, key dates are:
May 3rd (Easter Monday): Bars and restaurants opening. 9pm curfew to be extended to 11pm.
May 10th: Schools back
May 15th: Country will open to tourists with proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid test.
Not much to report on musical matters. Our online practices appear to have been successful in keeping us together. Here is a Scottish singer called Siobhan Miller: