Greece Relocates Hundreds of Refugees Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

Greece is relocating hundreds of migrants residing in the Moria camp on the island of Lesbos to reduce overcrowding during the coronavirus pandemic. Among the refugees in this camp are Iranian and Afghan citizens

The European Union and human rights organizations had called on the Greek government to transfer vulnerable migrants from camps on five Aegean Sea islands to mainland Greece.

According to Reuters news agency, Greek officials announced on Sunday a plan to relocate 395 migrants from the Moria camp to mainland Greece.

Greece implemented general quarantine measures on March 23, approximately six weeks ago, and this is the first time it is implementing a migrant relocation plan during the quarantine period.

Before the quarantine began, 600 migrants from Greek island camps had been transferred to mainland Greece.

Greece says it plans to relocate 2,400 refugees from these camps.

Currently, 37,000 refugees are living in camps on Greek islands, with their numbers exceeding the camps’ capacity. For example, the Maria camp houses 19,300 people, which is six times its capacity.

So far, 2,626 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Greece, with 144 deaths.

Source: Radio Farda