Greece’s Tourist Guides Call for Extra Aid Due to Covid-19

Photo © GTP

Greece’s professional tourist guides are calling on the government to extend financial support through to March 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown which has brought all activity to a halt.

More specifically, the Panhellenic Tourist Guide Federation (POXEN) is requesting the extension of the state subsidy scheme to March 2021, noting that they have only received the so-called “special purpose compensation” for the months of September and October as well as an 800-euro handout in spring. 

“The circumstances are such that we are forced to request the immediate extension of this subsidy for the upcoming winter months and until March 2021,” POXEN said in a statement.

The association is requesting the special purpose benefit for November and December 2020; the further extension of the subsidy for January, February, March, and April 2021 in order to be able to collect social security stamps; and retroactive compensation for May, June, July and August 2020.

Referring to the pandemic and the continuing restrictions in travel and free movement as well as to the ongoing lockdowns which have brought all professional activity to a standstill, POXEN notes that its members have been out of a job for almost a year.