Migrant arrivals on Lesbos left to own devices

Newly-arrived migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos have been left to their own devices constructing a makeshift camp on Friday as the country remains on lockdown in an attempt to contain the new coronavirus.

Fifty-six migrants were staying in the village of Petra after landing on the shores of Gavathas, at the north of the island on Monday. They complain that they have been given no gloves or masks to help protect them from the new coronavirus.

Last month neighbouring Turkey said it would no longer stop migrants on its territory from heading towards European Union member-state Greece.

The move has prompted a border crisis between the two historic regional rivals, with Greek authorities saying no migrants who arrived after March 1 could apply for asylum. Instead they will be detained pending deportation.

Konstantinos Pappos, deputy mayor of west Lesbos, asked that the law concerning post-March 1 arrivals be implemented.

Camps on Lesbos and other islands of the eastern Aegean are already overcrowded and operating above their capacity. The island's officials have complained there is no more room for new arrivals.

Astrid Castelein, head of UNHCR's office on Lesbos, said that the conditions the migrants are living in "is not a humane situation."

Greece has been on lockdown since Monday, with all residents required to stay home or risk being fined. The measure is an effort to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.