New Coronavirus Lockdown in Greece Requires People to Text Authorities Before Leaving Home

Greece has implemented one of the strictest coronavirus lockdown measures weve seen so far. Starting today citizens must text government authorities before leaving their homes. Read that again. You have to ask permission to go outside.

The system works like this. Before leaving your residence you send an SMS to 13033 with a number code indicating your reason for going out. Number 1 is pharmacy or doctor visit. Number 2 is essential shopping. Number 3 is bank. And so on through six approved reasons.

You receive a confirmation text back that you must show to police if stopped. And yes people are being stopped. Officers are patrolling and checking compliance. Violators face fines of 150 euros.

For a country that prides itself on its relationship to democracy – birthplace of the concept and all that – this is a remarkable measure. The Greek government argues its necessary to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed. Italy is right next door and what happened there has everyone terrified.

The reaction within Greece has been mixed. Many citizens understand the necessity even if they dont like it. Others see it as authoritarian overreach that sets dangerous precedents. Some worry about the data collection implications – the government now has detailed records of every citizens movements.

Civil liberties groups have expressed concern. Emergency measures have a way of becoming permanent. The surveillance infrastructure being built now could outlast the pandemic that justified it.

Greek authorities insist the measures are temporary and proportionate. They point to projections showing what happens without aggressive intervention. The choice they present is stark: accept restrictions now or face catastrophe later.

Were watching governments around the world make similar calculations. How much freedom do you sacrifice for safety? Where is the line? These questions will define the post-coronavirus world.

For now Greeks text before they leave home. And we all watch to see what comes next.