Friday , March 29 2024

Coronavirus:- Greece and Zakynthos, where do we stand today?

Where does Greece stand today?

 

At the moment not just Zakynthos but the whole of Greece is looking quite well in regards to the spread of COVID-19.

At the moment Greece as a whole has had only a 2% rise in new cases since yesterday 02/04/2020.. Today,  03/04/2020 a 6.6% rise with 99 new cases recorded, making Greece’s total amount of 1,613 cases,  a definite estimation for optimism compared to other European countries.

Unfortunately, our death total stands now at 59 with 6 new deaths only today.

Still, 92 of our fellow citizens are being treated at ICUs, and 11 have already recovered and were able to return home.

The slight rise from yesterday’s percentage was the fact that included in the total cases is the 119 cases recorded on the vessel “Eleftherios Venizelos” in quarantine just off the port of Piraeus.

Click on story below:-

COVID-19 Outbreak on “Eletheros Venizelos”

Zakynthos?

Meanwhile in Zakynthos the only cases of confirmed COVID-19 were the 5 that were known to be infected on the 4th March, 2020. After arriving from Israel their plight began. After being put in self isolation all five have recovered and are well in health even today.  Since then there have been a few suspicious cases and even over the last few days… ALL have been proven negative…. So, as we stand today, there are no known cases of COVID-19 on our Island. However, as you would probably know there are a few people still in quarantine or self isolation due to people having returned from other countries, others from the mainland. We still have to wait for those people to be released from isolation and quarantine.

 

 

Why the strict measures?

Our Government was quick to act from day one of confirmed cases. Closing schools first, then the continual update of restrictions as more cases were confirmed on the mainland. Our Island’s medical facilities would not have been able to cope if there was an outbreak and especially at the rates that we are seeing outbreaks in other areas and countries. For this reason our Government decided to keep the restrictions in place at least till after Easter.

Easter as you would know is a special holiday time for all Greeks. Most spend time with their families and friends and it usually consists of big family gatherings. It is a time that most choose to leave the cities and head for the village areas. The Islands too become a popular destination. Most take holidays to enjoy the spring break, roast their meat on the spit and through the Holy Week gather at the local churches. This will not be happening this year. Many Islands and village areas have been completely clear of the virus and it is these areas the Government wants to protect. A massive surge on these areas would be an accident waiting to happen and especially as some Islands do not even have hospitals that could cope with a serious outbreak should it happen.

What about Tourism?

Tourism for this year is a major concern for most Zakynthians. Apart from agriculture, tourism is one of the main income sources for our Island.

The President of the Hotel Association Zakynthian George Margaris, cautiously optimistic, said that our country in early June would be ready to welcome the first visitors. “Based on today’s data, we know that Greece will recover quickly. My personal estimation is that by the end of May and early June, Greece will be ready to receive tourists. The question is which of these customers, because as you know we receive most of the tourists from abroad and more from Europe. Will they be able to travel and whether they will have their vacation priority for this year or if they will have other priorities?”.

For his part, Nikos Glavas, president of the Hoteliers Association Arkadion noted that: “On our part we are constantly recording new data and trying to design our business models in the new environment. We strive to be reassuring with our partners, tour operators and individual visitors to the island and we stress that we will be ready to welcome them when conditions allow. ”

Optimism is ahead and if Greece continues on its slow and steady path she will come out a winner. At the moment the words of our Prime Minister prevail  ” We are not the beginning of the end, we are the end of the beginning “

About Louise Inzk

Louise is Australian born and has been a Greek citizen since 1991. She has deep cultural ties with the island, often writing about Zakynthian Traditions and Culture. She is also an active member of the Volunteer Group of Zakynthos, Giostra Di Zante and is a member of the women's choir "Rodambelos". Her love of the island and all it offers saw her joining the Zakynthos (Zante) Informer admin team in 2014.

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