Since March 2020, the Municipality of Serres has been at the forefront of protecting its citizens amid the Covid-19 pandemic, accelerating digital administrative reform and launching many health, educational and social initiatives.
The operation of a digital platform has been further enhanced in an effort to create a service-oriented culture, tackle inefficiency and maximize constituent satisfaction. In that respect, the existing digital application “click ‘n’ spot” has expanded to include a section titled “e-demotis” offering a range of certificates that had to be obtained in person otherwise. Regarding the Municipal Citizens’ Service Centers (KEP), the Municipality also participates in a pilot operation run by the Ministry of Digital Government offering online appointment requests. Furthermore, due to the Covid-19 social distancing protocols, the Municipal Council has embraced digital democracy holding virtual meetings that are also available on YouTube for live and recorded video streaming, ensuring that the pandemic has not resulted in a gap between the policy-makers and the citizens and that transparency, engagement and information sharing are safeguarded.
On an unprecedented level, the Municipality of Serres has been showing leadership launching many initiatives for the protection and the resilience of its citizens. Since the early stages of the pandemic, the Health and Social Care Services have assisted the National Organisation for Public Health in conducting rapid tests on the general public on a weekly basis in order to identify any positive coronavirus cases. Moreover, the Municipality has collaborated with laboratories to offer diagnostic molecular tests to staff (rRT – PCR), students and teachers. New services have been introduced such as the operation of a digital health clinic, a mental health helpline and a helpline for people suffering from dementia. Medicine and food packages have been distributed to the vulnerable urging them to stay at home. Masks and other sanitary material have been distributed to pupils and students and 450 tablets have been handed out to low income families. Contactless temperature measurement devices have been installed in public buildings whilst the intensive disinfection of Municipal buildings, streets and other places (e.g. military camp, police department, fire department, accommodation facility of temporary reception of migrants and refugees) has helped prevent the spread of coronavirus. Recognizing the need for the immediate expansion of the Health Care system, the Municipal Council approved a major donation to the General Hospital of Serres in the form of two fully equipped Intensive Care Units and other medical equipment. The funding came from the cancellation of the 2021 organisation of the annual Christmas Market.
Moreover, as a response to the challenge imposed by school closures and in order to build resilience, several social and educational initiatives have been launched. The Municipal Centers of Creative Work for Children have been offering online classes on a daily basis keeping the children active and creative. A series of online educational programs such as online foreign language lessons, after-school tuition, chess, creative writing, rehearsed readings, puppet shows and story-telling and a series of social initiatives and collaborations, such as the “Tale of X Cities”, the “University for the 3rd Age” and the “Friendship at every Age” programs, have all made an impact in providing people of all ages with critical interaction during this time of necessary social-distancing.
