Lifeguard Requirement for Shoreline Use Upsets Evia’s Beach Business Owners

Evia entrepreneurs hoping to operate businesses on the beach are up in arms over a new bill which requires they hire lifeguards during the summer season.

According to the Evia Trade and Entrepreneurship Federation, the requirement is “unfair” and “inapplicable” and the cost “prohibitive”.

In a letter to National Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hadjidakis, they argue that the requirement will impact very small and small enterprises operating across the country which cater to a limited number of customers with restricted use of the coastline.

At the same time, they claim that some municipalities will be unable to cover the cost of a lifeguard for every beach where F&B businesses are in operation.

According to the federation, it is “only reasonable that that restrictions and the lifeguard requirement should only apply to crowded beaches as foreseen by Presidential Decree 71/2020 article 11, currently in force”.

The federation goes on to warn that very small and small businesses awarded beach use under the new regulations will be unable to operate due to high costs.

A shore line use bill, which foresees among others a platform where interested parties can apply for beach use auctions and stringent penalties for violations is open for public comment.