Covid-19: Greek Trade & Tourism Bodies Call for Flexible Working Conditions

Greece’s social partners – four of the country’s main trade and tourism bodies – are calling for measures to support professionals, employees and businesses as health authorities announced even tighter measures in efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE); the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE); the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV); and the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE) are urging their members to allow for flexible working conditions in terms of time and location to facilitate extraordinary family obligations arising from the closure of kindergartens, schools, etc.

“We encourage businesses to adopt voluntary preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus in the workplace and to protect their employees’ health,” said the groups in a joint statement.

There are currently 73 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Greece, among the total 9,170 cases in the EU.

Greek health authorities: Additional measures

Photo Source: @eody

Greek health authorities announced additional measures on Sunday including the closure of schools, the cancellation of all conference events (for the next four weeks) and school trips, and restricted sports events, among others.

“We have to face this difficult situation… Greek tourism will emerge a winner from this unprecedented and unpleasant coronavirus occurrence, which is affecting the globe. This is a transitional situation, and we expect demand to rise as soon as things return to normal,” said Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis during the 10th Panhellenic Congress of the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers last week.

The tourism ministry together with sector bodies are assessing the potential damage from Covid-19 in order to draw up an emergency plan.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the ministers of economy, labor, and health, the Athens Medical and Association (ISA) is calling for tax and banking relief measures for medical and health services providers who have suffered cancellations due to the coronavirus.

So far in Europe, Italy has the highest incident of the coronavirus with at least 5,883 cases, followed by Germany (847) and France (716).

There are some 105,828 cases of the China virus globally and 3,584 fatalities.