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Greece’s Health Minister calls on tourists to follow health protocols

“I call on tourists to follow the health protocols for the coronavirus,,” Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Saturday. Visiting the island of Crete and inspecting the local health facilities, Kikilias appealed on foreign visitors to observe the health protocols during their staying in the country.

“We have hired 500 doctors and medical staff to support Crete, we are checking our airports, we are checking our hotels and all the accommodation facilities. Crete is ready to welcome tourists” the minister said.

At the same time he made a plea to tourists to abide with the protection measures against the coronavirus.

“I would like to urge and ask the tourists to observe the health protocols, as we, Greeks, did. Besides, that’s why they came here, because Greece is a beautiful country and Crete is a wonderful island but also because Greece is a safe country,” Kikilias stressed.

He added that Greeks observed the measures and proved that the country has succeeded, it has become an example to be imitated.

“We do not want to spoil itt now, therefore  I am asking the tourists to do the same. Respect our country, which is very beautiful, and adhere to the medical protocols and rules we have set, so that we have the smallest possible number of cases,” Kikilias said.

According to the head of the health authorities of Crete, Lena Borboudaki, the island can cover 155 mild and moderate cases in its hospital structures, while if deemed necessary, they can reach a total of 328 beds.

With regards to cases that will need hospitalization in ICU, there are currently 9 available beds, which can be increased within a few hours to 30, if necessary, but even to 60, if the cases have a large increase.

“As we have observed the measures and proved that the country has succeeded and has become an example to be imitated, we do not want to spoil it now, therefore  I am asking the tourists to do the same. Respect our country, which is very beautiful, and adhere to the medical protocols and rules we have set, so that we have the smallest possible number of cases,” Kikilias said.

Tourists who have been tested at the country’s entrance gates have to keep self-isolation until the tests results are out.

So far, only one tourist was caught to have violated this rule.

Those tested positive will be placed in quarantine hotels or will be hospitalized if needed.

Since June 12, a total of 65 new arrivals have been tested positive, health authorities said on Saturday.

For more information on Greece’s health regulations during the pandemic scroll down here.

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One comment

  1. For what I’ve seen it is mainly local youth and bar owners who are nother respecting the principles of social distancing. They don’t wear masks at all or not correctly. They just want to make profit as soon as possible. and admit big crowds of young locals. The situation in some smaller streets in place for example Mikonos is really awful!
    Don’t blame the tourists if Greece is not able to police the principles in the tourist places, Minister!