Elderly residents in Menoiko remain trapped in their own homes due to the checkpoint set up to contain foot-and-mouth disease, at livestock farms in the area. In the wider region, there are livestock farms located approximately 2,000 meters from this specific checkpoint. According to the family, the chosen location impedes free and unimpeded access to and from the family’s permanent residence.

The family claims that in the event of an emergency, no one will be able to rush to the house immediately, as they will need to show the appropriate permit to the private security guard stationed there. As seen in Alpha’s footage, there is a dirt road literally just a few meters away. From there, anyone can pass through without showing any documentation, which underscores the “tragicomic” nature of the situation.

READ ALSO: Locked Out of Their Own Home: Elderly Couple Complains of “Roadblock” Due to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Konstantinos, a relative of the family, wonders why they are being subjected to this unnecessary hassle, since there are no confirmed cases in the area. In fact, he even drew up a map showing what measures should normally be in place if there were actually a case, and what the current situation is.

“For 67 days now, we’ve been trying to get an answer from someone in charge, and we haven’t succeeded. Who decided to set up a checkpoint at this specific location where there are no confirmed cases, and what purpose does it serve?”

The family’s home is located about 200 meters from where the checkpoint was set up. It should be noted that the original checkpoint was not at this specific location, and the family had not objected, since free access to and from their home was not adversely affected. Two days later, according to the family’s allegations, the checkpoint was moved to its current location without any official written or verbal notification from the relevant state authority.

SEE ALSO: Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Enters a New Phase: The Next Critical Step in the Fight Against the Virus

Two days later, a private security guard appeared at the checkpoint, and since then the family has been barred from passing through to reach their home, unless they present a permit. In a letter on the matter, the family reports that the checkpoint was moved back to its original location; however, to their great surprise, the checkpoint was moved again the very next day to its current location, without any explanation or official notification.