ATHENS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Greek government announced on Thursday that stiffer fines await those who violate the containment measures introduced to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the country is preparing to celebrate Orthodox Easter on April 19.

At a regular press briefing, officials said that from 9 p.m. local time on Saturday until midnight on Monday, the fines imposed for unnecessary movement outside the home will be doubled to a minimum of 300 euros (325 U.S. dollars) and violators will have their car plates removed.

Since March 23, Greece has been in a lockdown, which is expected to end on April 27.

The authorities have beefed up controls at toll plazas on national highways to prevent the traditional mass exodus to the countryside from urban centers.

During the lockdown, citizens are only allowed to go out for essentials near their primary residence.

Between March 23 and 1200 p.m. on April 16, the police have issued a total of 42,606 fines nationwide to violators of measures restricting the movement of citizens, according to the Ministry of Citizen Protection.

All proceeds from the fines are invested in boosting public hospitals' capacity to fight the virus.

Greece has reported 15 new confirmed coronavirus cases and three new deaths over the past 24 hours

Currently, the total number of COVID-19 infections in Greece stands at 2,207, with 105 deaths. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) Enditem

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