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Tourism: Full flights to Greece, quarantine hotels and incentives.
Government plan to disclose incentives to hotel units, flights to Greece and a hotel doctor.
According to the National Greek newspaper “Ethnos” the government’s plan for tourism has not been fully unfolded. Proposals by Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ to hoteliers will be announced in the near future, with the aim of minimizing the number of units that will remain closed. Following the Commission’s recommendations for summer in Europe in the middle of a pandemic, the Greek government is bringing new proposals to the table to save what can be saved.
According to what Giannis Sarantakos revealed in “Ora Hellados 7:00” on Open TV, at first the Greek side “won” the issue in regards to having full flights to Athens. The planes that will come to Greece will be full and not one passenger per second seat. Of course, there will be strict rules, such as the mandatory use of a mask, vertical air for each seats and more, however, the full plane issue is a first victory, in regards to restarting the tourist traffic in our country.”
The term “quarantine hotel” per prefecture will also be introduced. Which means any tourist that comes ill or has possible symptoms with covid will be transferred to that hotel where the necessary precautions will follow.
However, the government is making slow and steady steps in terms of establishing special incentives for hoteliers and will provide support measures for those who open. There will be special care for employees both during the tourist season and after, their insurance contributions will be paid by the state during the tourist season, but also an afterthought is to enter a clause of operation in hotels, for them to receive benefits.
In addition, there will be staff training as much as possible, while a doctor will be charged in each Hotel unit. The doctor will observe any phenomena and tourists who may have “suspicious symptoms” , therefore they will not need to resort to health centres and hospitals, but will be examined first by the doctor at the hotel.
What does the EC say?
The European Commission is proposing the gradual lifting of controls and restrictive measures imposed on the treatment of the coronavirus epidemic.
The Commission recommends that Member States make decisions based on the health assessment of the situation in each country and by communicating with each other.
It also intends to make available to tourists by the summer a website with real-time information on the situation at the border, but also at each tourist destination.
For some southern European countries, such as Italy and Spain, which have been hit hard, as well as Greece and Portugal, with high performance in preventing the spread of the epidemic and excellent epidemiological picture, betting is the biggest limitation of damage.
With regard to the arrival of tourists from countries outside the European Union, the Commission calls on the 27 member states to extend the temporary ban on unnecessary trips to the European Union by June 15.
Planes, trains, ships
According to the Commission’s recommendations, airlines are not required to keep airplane seats in the middle. However, passengers must be required to wear masks during the flight, as well as at the airport.
The Commission notes in its recommendations that airlines should reduce the risk of contamination with measures such as the installation of hospital-type filters in ventilation systems, the use of protective equipment and the restriction of passenger traffic.
The processes of check-in, delivery and baggage collection should be organized in such a way as to avoid overcrowding, the European Commission recommends.
The Commission recommends that the duration of vouchers issued by airlines for the void flights of the previous period be extended for at least one year, with the protection against bankruptcy activated, so that the beneficiaries accept them without claiming full compensation from airlines and tourist offices. The Commission urges airlines to make vouchers more attractive by extending their duration, offering them the same terms as the original booking or, if possible, upgrading them. Some vouchers must be transferable and automatically payable if not used within the year.
For rail travel, the European Commission recommends implementing social distancing by increasing the frequency of trains and the capacity of trains. The use of a mask inside trains and stations should be required, and avoidance of travel during peak hours should be recommended. Doors must open automatically and an antiseptic solution must be available.
Corresponding rules should apply to other means of transport and cruise ships. The Commission recommends reducing the number of passengers on cruises. Cruise ships should have spaces for quarantine if needed.
What does Greece say?
Our Prime Minister says Greece is ready to accept foreign tourists as of July 1, 2020, providing the course of the pandemic will develop according to the plans
It is not clear, though, whether Greece will open its borders to EU nationals only or also to nationals of third countries.
Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a teleconference organized by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
“If things go according to our plans, we will open on July 1, under a protocol that will make sense both to those who want to travel and to our tourism industry”
As far as new announcements, our Government will be announcing new protocols for travelling by airplane, ferry and train later today. However, it is worth mentioning apart from family or work reasons, non EU nationals are banned from entering Greece until May 18. The EC has already recommended that the ban should be extended for at least another 30 days. Greece has not taken position on this issue, however, we may have an answer soon, hopefully later today.
Source:- https://www.ethnos.
