Health Experts say Greece Prepared for Tourism in Covid-19 Times

Greece is well prepared to address possible coronavirus incidents but should increase Covid-19 testing on passengers from flights originating in high risk territories, said infectious disease expert Haralambos Gogos.

Speaking on SKAI TV, Gogos said that data from Europe appeared to be improving and that stringent health protocols in place at all hotels in Greece will enable tourism to pick up.

“Data from Europe is constantly improving, but we need to keep an eye on the epidemiological data and increase sampling on difficult flights. With regard to hotels, we’ve covered ground with the health protocols but recording data is necessary in order to assess,” he said.

In the case a hotel resident comes down with Covid-19, Gogos said the possibility of it spreading was small if all health protocols are followed.

“A test will be conducted on a significant number of hotel residents, but the chance of the disease being transmitted between people who spend two minutes next to each other at the buffet is small; spread has more to do with the duration of contact and proximity,” he clarified.

The doctor added that clinical research will be available by the end of 2020 paving the way for a much anticipated vaccine.

On his part, Gogos’ colleague, Nikos Sipsas, also an infectious disease expert, said that based on Covid-19’s 15-day incubation period, trends and the effects of incoming tourism will be available at the end of the month.

“The bad scenario: we will have a lot of imported cases. We will definitely have new incidents,” he said, but added that he does not anticipate a second Covid-19 wave this summer.

“Most likely in the fall. No one knows how the virus will behave. The second wave will be much milder,” he said.

For updated information on travel to Greece in the post-Covid-19 era, during June 15-30 and from July 1 onwards, press here.