Greece Works on Plan for Island, Mainland Health Coverage

The Greek health ministry announced on Thursday that it was drawing up an action plan complete with measures to be implemented on the Greek islands and at mainland destinations in order to meet the potential health needs of visitors and tourists in the aftermath of coronavirus (Covid-19).

Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias reiterated the government’s plan for a gradual and closely monitored return to tourism initially with domestic travelers.

In an interview to Star TV, Kikilias said travel to the islands was set to begin on May 25 and on June 8 the first hotels would open.

Kikilias announced that the ministry was working closely with health experts and epidemiologists on a plan that takes into consideration the number of operating hotels, island transport infrastructure such as the existence of an airport and helipad, ferry link frequency, hotel and room capacity, the number of serving private and public doctors as well as emergency services.

“If things go according to plan, we will be open (for tourism) as of July 1 with a protocol that will make sense not only to the people who want to travel, but also to our tourism industry,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.