Media: Easing COVID measures to attarct tourists brings hike in Greece’s cases
Essentially ending COVID-19 health restrictions to open the country to tourists to bring in money, and letting anti-vaxxers free to mingle with the vaccinated in public gathering places brought a surge in cases in Greece.
There had been worry that would happen but the New Democracy government turned its attention toward an economic recovery while health officials warned that if the pandemic got worse again that measures would return in autumn.
Health Minister Thanos Plevris said the jump wasn’t enough to put pressure again on the public health system that was on its heels for more than two years after COVID hit early in 2020 and came after the country’s death toll passed 30,000.
“We expected this increase and it makes sense given the presence of variants that are more transmissible, so restrictions are pointless,” Plevris told SKAI TV after the National Organization for Public Health reported 9,288 new infections on June 15.
That was more than double from a week earlier but the government is downplaying the severity with tourists pouring into the country from everywhere, apart from Russia whose airlines were banned under European Union sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Plevris said that the rise in infections won’t overwhelm public hospitals as it had even though the government didn’t move to commandeer private hospital Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and ventilators.
He appeal to people who are vulnerable to “apply some measures of self-protection,” but didn’t say whether that meant wearing masks that aren’t required anymore or staying safe social distances which have also been lifted.
“None of the models we have been running show trends that will put pressure on the health system and would require that we take measures. Cases as cases are just one chapter. The issue is to what extent they translate into hospitalizations,” the minister said, apparently trying to spin the uptick as nothing serious.
He said that many of the new cases concern reinfections and many of those are with subvariants of the Omicron strain, which, he said, “provide no protection from getting ill, but do provide protection from getting seriously ill,” said Kathimerini.
OUT OF WORK
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis long ago moved away from a pledge to consider mandatory vaccinations if the pandemic got worse and only health care workers are required to be inoculated as the number of cases passed 3.5 million.
Health care workers who aren’t vaccinated continue to be suspended without pay and face being fired although that could change depending on the epidemiological data under constant review.
As the number of Coronavirus cases began to soar quickly again, a member of the government’s advisory panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations on measures said there was no reason to be edgy yet.
“There is an upward trend this week, the first after a long time, but I do not think there is any cause for concern,” said Gikas Magiorkinis, a clinical virologist.. “At least 20 countries in Europe showed an upward trend last week,” he added.
But the rise came two weeks after the government suspended all health restrictions except face masks in hospitals, care homes, and transport and said it wasn’t necessary to show vaccine certificates to get into bars, restaurants, taverns, or other gathering spots despite the health hazard potential.
A side effect of lessening the measures means that more than 3,000 people hired during the pandemic to keep Greek municipal and regional services afloat will lose their jobs by the end of June.
Those are workers hired to check vaccine QR codes and sanitize public parks and buildings and streets who will be let go, and they aren’t happy about losing their jobs all of a sudden.
David Armaos, who has been working as a street cleaner for the city of Piraeus for almost two years told China’s state-run CGTN network that “I’ll definitely take legal action,” without saying what his grounds would be.
“And in the meantime, although I have a second job, I’m already looking to replace the one I will lose – because with only one job it’s not possible to feed a family. Life has become expensive, especially now.
“My future is uncertain because we don’t know if there will be any extension. But even if there is, imagine they tell us they will extend our contracts for another five months – that’s another five months living with stress,” he said.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
TUI chief forecast: Tourism sector in Greece to break all records during 2024
Greek Education Minister calls on universities to carry out final exams online
Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino and The Dolli among the world's best new luxury hotels in 2023
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
IPTO chief: Starting construction on Greece-Cyprus-Israel power interconnector
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
The bratti hotel signage at the XENIA 2023 exhibition & the Architect Show 2023 event
Greek PM inaugurates 'One & Only Aesthesis' tourist resort in suburb of Glyfada
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry