05.04.2021
PRESS RELEASE
Harris Theocharis in Parliament: ‘Tourism opens with safety and balance on 14 May – We have 5 lines of defence – No ‘Covid islands’Free'”
The roadmap for the opening of Greek tourism in 2021 was presented to the Parliament by the Minister of Tourism Mr. Harris Theocharis, responding to a topical question by SYRIZA MP Mrs K. Malama. At the same time, he called on the opposition to show responsibility and support the national effort in the tourism sector, which is a key sector for the economy and society.
In particular, the Minister of Tourism said:
– For the opening of Greek Tourism: “We will open on 14 May and we will open safely, despite the scaremongering. SYRIZA must stop making calls, as it has done all the time before, for marches and rallies that intensify the uncertainty about the health situation.”
– For the five lines of defence: “In order to be able to safely welcome tourists from abroad this year, we are implementing a plan which includes five lines of defence: 1) The requirements and the corresponding certificates before the arrival of travelers in Greece – either with vaccination or with a negative test. 2) The activation of the highly successful ‘EVA’ random testing system, for which we have gained international recognition, to detect positive cases at the border. 3) Quarantine hotels so that we can isolate any outbreaks. 4) The vaccination of workers, which will start as soon as the vaccination of our health vulnerable citizens is completed. And 5) strict adherence to health protocols. They are what kept our citizens and visitors safe last year. They will do the same this year.”
On the misunderstanding about “Covid-Free” islands: “Our country’s plan is comprehensive in opening up tourism. It is a highly detailed, balanced plan that allows for safe tourism throughout the country. Talking about an island whose residents are vaccinated for business reasons is not a discussion that concerns tourism. The whole country is safe. There should be no internal competition between destinations. I appeal to stop this counterproductive literature. It is obvious that only business reasons are driving the vaccination of certain islands. There is no question of substance. These are islands with a small potential in terms of beds that could affect the general health situation.
For the rules for visitors: “Whatever applies to Greek citizens applies to tourists. The same rules apply to all Greek citizens as apply to Greek citizens. The tourists who come are isolated and what applies to every Greek citizen applies. We will not discriminate. Our country has specific rules – on the advice of experts – which apply to all tourists and to all Greek citizens. This will continue to be the case this summer”.
Finally, Mr. Theocharis called on SYRIZA to support the government’s efforts for the faster recovery of Greek tourism. Addressing the opposition MPs, the Minister of Tourism said, “It is your right to adopt the most pessimistic estimates. Last year you also estimated last year that revenues would be €3 billion, but in the end it was about 40% more, €4.3 billion. Every euro that fills the plate of a family working in tourism, at such a critical time, is something that cannot be considered negligible. The defamatory talk that you made all last year, fortunately, did not work. I call on you, in general, to join us in our appeals so that every last Greek citizen can be vaccinated. Because only then will we really be able to find freedom and banish the stench that the pandemic has placed on our shoulders.
