In addition to public spaces, including pools and gyms, being shut down around the world due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the nation of Greece is taking things one step further.
As of today, April 2nd, authorities in Greece have banned swimming, fishing and water sports in the surrounding ocean, per The Greek Reporter.Â
‘The Ministry of Shipping and Islands Policy has sent a circular to all port authorities throughout the country informing them about the ban on these activities.’ Along with swimming and fishing from land/underwater fishing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, paddle boarding, and sailing are now prohibited.
At of the time of publishing, Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center lists Greece as having 1514 reported COVID-19 cases, resulting in 53 deaths and 61 recoveries.
The nations of Italy, Spain, and Portugal have also instituted bans on beach activities in an effort to reduce crowds.
France had also blocked access to many beaches. For example, Morbihan, Brittany’s prefectural decree, signed on March 18, reported on the “significant presence of people (walkers, cyclists and sportsmen) on the Morbihan coast (…) which generates a risk of spreading the virus by gathering people, including in small groups.”
[#Coronavirus #Covid19]
🔴Restriction des déplacements – Mise en place de plusieurs interdictions à /c du 18 mars ds #Morbihan et diffusion de l'info @premaratlant qui interdit tte activité nautique
Soyez responsables, respectez scrupuleusement ces règleshttps://t.co/CuWv2TR91H pic.twitter.com/dBYb6PTw32— Préfet du Morbihan (@Prefet56) March 19, 2020
New Zealand have prohibited swimming in the ocean too. The whole country is in lockdown .
Parts of Australia have done the same
Get your facts straight people. Greece doesn’t have any ocean around it. It’s the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean… Where did you get this Ocean word from?
This is an idiotic restriction.
Seems better to close beaches that get too busy.
You wouldn’t say that if you were a fish.
Greece does not have ocean. They’re surrounded with three seas.