Theocharis: The 5 “lines of defense” for opening up tourism

Haris Theocharis referred to the Greek government’s plan for the opening of tourism in 2021, speaking with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Die Weltonline and El Mundo.

“Our plan for opening up Greek tourism this year foresees starting the may 14, with all those countries from which we have always received travelers. We try to create clear and specific terms, so that the travel market can adapt immediately and easily. For Europe and some markets with a high percentage vaccinated, we want to open from mid April. The further development of the exhibition depends on the market and the level of preparation of the industry. However, in any case, it is the government that must take the first step. “This time, the opening does not depend, as usual, on demand, but on when we will be ready,” said the Minister of Tourism.

In an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he also spoke about 5 “lines of defense” in the business plan on the opening of Greek tourism, emphasizing that part of the security measures are the conditions for travelers to enter Greece.

In particular, Mr. Theocharis stated the following:

• Each tourist will present confirmation Neither that has been vaccinated against coronavirus or whatever has recovered after infection with the virus or will show a negative test. This is the “first line of defense”.
• The second line is that we will do it ourselves. sampling tests on arrival. In this sense, we will focus our control strategy on where we could have found concentrations of positive cases the day before.
• The third “line of defense” should be immediately placed in quarantine visitors in case of a positive test and then undergo a more detailed PCR test again.
• The fourth “line of defense” is general safety rules, such as mask obligation wave keeping distances, restrictions on restaurants, buses, excursions, etc.
• The “fifth line of defense” is that everyone should follow the same rules as the Greeks. If there is a mask obligation for Greek citizens, the same will apply to all, whether or not they are vaccinated.

Finally, the minister stressed that vaccination of employees in Greek tourism sector It will also help protect against infection, adding that you will be vaccinated with priority immediately after elderly and high-risk patients.

With respect to extension of the tourist seasonHe told FAZ that “this year it will be easier to extend the travel period. As of September, the vaccination problem will be solved and there will continue to be a lot of tourist demand, which will not yet be satisfied. Some will want to come in October or November. “Greece is preparing for this.”

In another interview with Die Welt, he stressed that “there will be no non-discrimination against those who have not been vaccinated. All people will be able to travel. This was very important to us when Kyriakos Mitsotakis proposed the Digital Vaccination Certificate in January. “

The Minister then reiterated that “the German tourists they do not need to be vaccinated to vacation in Greece. A negative coronavirus test It’s enough. We want to create a safe environment for our guests. Because those who do not feel safe cannot relax. We want to treat the people who come to our country like our family. “Not only because that’s how the Greeks are, but also because this year is more important than ever,” he said.

For its part, the Spanish newspaper The world comments in a relevant article: “Greece, a country with 12 million inhabitants and more than 7 million tourists (number 2020), suffered, like Spain, the effects of the pandemic in its tourism sector, which represents 15% of GDP (13% was the corresponding figure for Spain before the pandemic crisis) “.

With respect to visitor categories To what Greece is addressing as a priority this summer, the Minister of Tourism replied: “A significant success is that Greece has ‘loyal’ tourists, who repeatedly choose it for their holidays. This fact demonstrates their high degree of satisfaction and their firm support for our country. The sea, the sun, history, culture, gastronomy, alternative activities and in the case of big cities the city breaks down, are the reasons why tourists choose Greece for their vacations This is especially true for tourists who come mainly from Germany and United Kingdom, weather France, the Italy, the Russia, the USA and the Balkan countries they are the other major markets for our tourism sector ”.