Covid-19: Greek Minister Says Perks for the Vaccinated in the Pipeline 

Greek Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

Individuals who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will soon have certain advantages, including access to indoor venues in the winter, said Greek Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis on Wednesday.

Referring to the reluctance of a large part of the Greek population to get the jab, Georgiadis said “those who decide not to get vaccinated will have to face the consequences”, underlining that “a business cannot face the risk of closure because an employee wishes to exercise his supposed right not to be vaccinated”.

The minister said that under the current labor law, a company has the right to fire an employee if they considered as putting the company at risk.

“If an employee wants to endanger other fellow citizens and colleagues, he has not right to entitlements,” he said, echoing Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou’s comment that the Greek Constitution in no way condones endangering the life of others.

Privileges for the Vaccinated, or Liberties?

Photo source: European Commission

Georgiadis’ reaction comes in the midst of an ongoing debate in Greece over the possibility of making vaccination mandatory for some groups and granting privileges to those who are fully vaccinated. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed earlier this week that certain groups will be required by law to get the jab. He also said that the vaccinated would have benefits that would facilitate their life.

The minister reiterated that certain privileges would be granted once it was certain that everyone had access to vaccination, which he expects will be the case in early July.

“In winter, the vaccinated among us will be able to enter closed areas. Those who have not been vaccinated will not be able to,” he said.

Photo © Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI)

Despite reporting a drop in the number of daily cases over the last few days, Greece has also seen a slowdown in vaccination participation. A planned vaccination rollout on the island of Samos came to halt due to lack of participation, which is also the case on the popular tourist island of Corfu and on three more islands. Georgiadis attributes the reluctance to misinformation concerning a certain vaccine.

Speaking during Wednesday’s Covid briefing, Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias said there were “no privileges, no incentives, no rights. Only the gradual easing of restrictions for those who are not at risk,” reiterating that the issue of benefits for the vaccinated is currently being discussed and relevant announcements will be made once everyone has access to vaccines.

Earlier today, Mitsotakis urged the younger generations to book their vaccination appointment after the platform opened on Thursday for the 25-29 age group. “The vaccines protects us, our loved ones, and society,” he said via his twitter account.