Greek authorities explain mandatory tests in temples are GOC’s initiation

The Synod of the GOC proposed compulsory PCR tests at the entrance to the temples. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com

On November 19, 2021, the government spokesperson Yiannis Economou said that the country's authorities had decided on mandatory PCR tests for visiting churches after the proposal of the Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church, reports the Greek resource "Romfea".

"People of old ages who are vulnerable to the coronavirus go to the Churches, whether they have been vaccinated and have passed the period of immunity or are unvaccinated. From the first moment in cooperation with the Holy Synod we said that the people who enter must be as shielded as possible. So, we said that the test will be required after the suggestion of the Holy Synod and the commissioners of the church will be in charge of controlling this process and the state organs will make samples there as well. "Believers need to understand that they need to be disciplined," Yiannis Economou said.

As reported, the Greek authorities banned unvaccinated people from visiting temples without a negative PCR test.

Read also