Introductory statement by Government Spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni to political writers and foreign correspondents

National Recovery and Resilience Plan "Greece 2.0"

Yesterday, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Deputy Minister of Finance Theodoros Skylakakis, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos and the members of the Executive Committee of the Recovery Fund presented the National Plan for Sustainability and Recovery "Greece 2.0". The plan regards the utilization of Community resources - grants and loans – totalling 32 billion euros that will mobilize additional private funds of 25 billion euros. This is going to contribute to the growth process of this country, resources that reach 57 billion euros, to increase the GDP by 7 units within the next six years and create an additional 200,000 new jobs.

The Plan draws up a roadmap for 170 specific reforms, investments and projects throughout Greece and combines economic efficiency with social cohesion and justice. It is growth and at the same time society oriented. It is essentially transforming the model of the Greek economy to competitive and extroverted, with a digital and efficient State. The plan refers in one phrase to the revolution that comes from tomorrow and will be - as the Prime Minister stressed - the bridge that will lead our country not only to the post-covid era, but also to the third decade of the 21st century.

The Plan is unfolded in 4 pillars:
1st: digital transition for the State, businesses and citizens.
2nd: increase of employment and cohesion of the society.
3rd: green transition to which will be dedicated more than 37% of the project resources are. And
4th: boost productivity and business.

Regarding the adjustments to the measures to stop the pandemic

It is a fact that the pandemic in our country is on the rise and the Health System -especially in Attica- is under great pressure. It is equally certain that after a year of hard fight, the society is tired and there are gatherings in houses, but also overcrowding in various places and as a result, over-contagion is underway.
In such a situation, the Government, following a recommendation by the Committee of Experts, makes limited adjustments to the mix of measures against coronavirus. More specifically, it was decided to allow from Monday, April 5, the operation of retail stores, except for department stores and shopping centers. For their transportation - which can also be between different municipalities - consumers will use a special code and will have 3 hours at their disposal. It will be allowed to sell inside and outside the store by appointment.
In addition, from Saturday, April 3, and only on weekends, transportation between municipalities by car is allowed for personal exercise, using code 6.
Next week there will be an evaluation for schools, with the prospect of starting the operation of some classes on April 12 using the self-diagnostic home test. The operation of department stores and shopping malls will also be re-evaluated. These adjustments were made in order to offer relief valves to the society, to better implement the protection measures and for the economy to breathe. Our ally in this effort is the additional weapons that we did not have in previous months. Such as:
-The increase of vaccinations that have already covered more than 10% of the population.
-The self tests that citizens will soon have for free. And
-The improvement of the weather that allows us to spend more hours outdoors.

Regarding the National Health System (ESY).
The implementation of the emergency plan for the strengthening of the National Health Service continues, especially in Attica. In this context, the General Hospital of Thriasio is transformed into a covid hospital. The goal is to have 130 single covid beds and 33 ICUs for covid, starting from Wednesday, April 7. Gradually the General Hospital of Thriasio will have up to 180 covid beds available.
In addition, 51 new ICU covid are being organised in the hospitals "Gennimatas", "Evangelismos", "Laiko", "Ippokratio", "Elpis" and "Konstantopouleio".

Regarding vaccinations

Until yesterday, about 1.700.000 of our fellow citizens had been vaccinated, over 607 thousand of them with both doses. As of today, April 1, another two large vaccination centers will be put into operation, one at the Fencing Stadium of Elliniko and one at the Exhibition Center in Peristeri, strengthening the vaccination mechanism with 272 vaccination centers. Thus, the number of vaccination centers now stands at 1,073, which is increased by 55 in comparison with the initial number of 1,018 announced in November.
On Friday, April 2, will open the platform in which citizens aged 65-69 can fix appointments. It is estimated that 1.5 million will be vaccinated in April and that by the beginning of May all citizens over the age of 60, as well as vulnerable groups, will have been vaccinated - at least with one dose.

Regarding the tests
12 months ago we started the tests conducting 800 PCR tests per day. After that we included in our strategy - even in advance to other European countries - rapid tests. We made a huge effort and reached an average of 50,000 tests per day with a daily record that exceeds 65,000 tests. Following suggestions from experts, we decided to use the potential of technology for self tests, as an additional weapon in our strategy.

In fact, unlike other countries that already sell them on the market, the Greek Government decided to offer four self tests free of charge per month to every citizen. The tender for their supply was conducted with absolute transparency, with 31 companies submitting bids and the bid dossiers were submitted to the Court of Auditors for the pre-contractual audit.

The self test is expected to be available at pharmacies next week. The supply of self tests to pharmacies will take place gradually based on deliveries. As a priority, students under the age of 18 and teachers will be able to get tests from pharmacies. Self tests are a key tool to enable schools to reopen. The overall plan for the self-test framework will be announced tomorrow.

Regarding the program of the Prime Minister

--Today, in the afternoon  Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will have a meeting with the Minister of State George Gerapetritis, Finance Christos Staikouras, Development Adonis Georgiadis, the Deputy Minister of Finance Theodoros Skylakakis, the deputy Minister of Development Yiannis Tsakiris, the Secretary General of the Prime Minister Grigoris Dimitriadis, as well as the President of the Panhellenic Federation of Restaurant & Related Professions (POESE) George Kavvathas and members of the Board of Directors of the Federation. Announcements on the food services sector will follow.

--Tomorrow morning, the Prime Minister will address the Parliament in the context of the debate beyond the order of the Day, following the request of the President of the Movement for Change (KINAL), Mrs. Fofi Gennimata, at Party Leaders level, regarding the pandemic and its impact on the economy.

--On Tuesday, April 6, the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will pay a visit to Libya, where he will meet with the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Mohamed Younes Menfi, and the Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dibeba. The visit of the Prime Minister will also mark the immediate operation of our Embassy in Tripoli.