The government spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou did not rule out the possibility of imposing rapid tests on all the population, regardless of their vaccination status over the holidays in light of the extraordinary circumstances due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

During the press briefing on Monday, Oikonomou noted that the conditions due to the Omicron mutation could compel the government to impose universal testing pending the relevant recommendations from the expert committee, adding that the cost for these tests will burden the vaccinated citizens.

He pointed out that since the announcement of the mandatory vaccination for those over 60, about 150,000 appointments have been made or scheduled.

Oikonomou clarified that there there was no talk by the experts of the possibility of postponing the opening of schools for later after the holidays.

Commenting on the state budget passed in Parliament, he echoed the positions expressed by PM Mitsotakis that it was growth-oriented, social, reformist, and completely consistent with the policy of prosperity and development that the current administration was following. As he underlined, it consistently served “our central pre-election commitment to alleviate the citizens from the unbearable and discriminatory taxes imposed on them by the previous government.”

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