Greek Hoteliers Call for Revised Covid-19 Health Protocols Due to Changing Weather

In view of autumn and of the changing weather conditions, Greece’s hoteliers are calling on the tourism ministry to update Covid-19 health protocols and designate quarantine hotels to meet the demands of incoming tourists over the upcoming period.

In a letter to Tourism Minister Vasilis Kikilias, the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX) and its president, Grigoris Tasios, are requesting:

• that quarantine hotels be designated in time and rationally distributed based on the expected needs of each region in order to meet the needs of incoming tourists in the coming months
• to allow conferences to be held indoors with a rapid test requirement and with limited capacity as currently applies to cinemas 
• to allow the opening of indoor swimming pools
• to provide clear and consistent guidelines as to how inspection/verification will be carried out for Covid-19 vaccination certificates or recovery documents (in paper) provided by customers from non-EU countries.

Tasios said clarifications were necessary as there had been cases of travelers from non-EU countries who were unable to enter vaccinated-only establishments despite presenting relevant papers.

Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers President Grigoris Tasios.

The federation’s president referred to the “crucial contribution” of hotels to Greece’s successful tourism opening, adding that clarifications were necessary for the smooth operation of units in the fall and winter.

“It is extremely important that the excellent image [of Greece] be maintained in the coming months. 12-month hotels are expected to start activities and similar operating conditions must be ensured for them as well,” he said.

Tasios went on to add that it was vital that changes and improvements to the current health protocols were made taking into account the change of weather which will require access to indoor spaces. 

“It is a matter of survival for these enterprises that have been closed or nearly operating for almost 18 months,” he said.