Update – 16/06/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 3,134. The death toll from Covid-19 has climbed to 184, as one more fatality was recorded in the past 24 hours. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 13, while 117 patients have left the intensive care unit.

HEALTH/ TOURISM

• A carefully interconnected network of emergency health care and medical services linking Greece’s islands with the mainland as well as specific guidelines for the transport by air or sea of infected individuals was announced on Friday in Athens by the Greek Health Minister. The minister presented a detailed action plan in place to address the incoming flows of tourists as Greece opens its borders for the first time after the Covid-19 outbreak on Monday, June 15. Specifically, according to the ministry plan:

• All of the country’s islands now have access to medical services either on location or via transport to the nearest facility.
• All hospitals, healthcare units or centers on the islands will be operating on a 24-hour basis.
• The number of medical and health care staff stationed on the islands has been increased.
• 446 beds and 19 Intensive Care Units (ICU) for Covid-19 cases have been secured for the islands with the capacity to increase to 674 and 79, respectively should the need arise.
• Health centers as well as floating medical units are working together with NGOs to carry out extensive sample testing while mobile health facilities will be conducting tests, collecting data for epidemiological research and tracking information.
• Syros and Rhodes will be equipped with PCR testing units with smaller units on smaller islands.
• The National Center for Emergency Assistance (EKAB) has been equipped with isolation capsules for the safe transport by air ensuring a sanitary care environment for highly contagious patients.
• Medical air transportation services will be carried out by helicopters and planes of the Greek Air Force and the Civil Protection secretariat, marine means of the port authorities, and via private means.
• Coverage: headquarters in Elefsina; Syros base covering the Cyclades islands; Rhodes covering the Dodecanese islands; Aktion covering Western Greece and the Ionian island; and Thessaloniki covering Northern Greece.
• At the same time, hotels operating in Greece this summer will be required to have a doctor on call and designated quarantine areas will be set up on popular island destinations as well as a set of rigid guidelines.

TOURISM

• One after the other, major hotel groups are reopening units across Greece, with the baton this week passing to the Mitsis and Mantonanakis groups. Both hotel chains announced the reopening of several (though not all) units as of early July, indicating that similarly to other major groups, they are waiting to see the course of bookings before proceeding with the opening of more of their hotels.

• According to the announcements, the Mantonanakis group reopens on July 3 the Grand Resort Lagonissi in Attica, the Elounda Beach Hotels and Villas, the Kalimera Kriti Hotel & Village Resort and the Kernos Beach in Crete, as well as the Amphitryon Hotel in Nafplio in the Peloponnese.

• Mitsis Hotels announced the resumption of operation of units in all of the five destinations where it is active. As of July 1, doors will open for guests at the Rinela Beach Resort & Spa on Crete, the Alila Resort & Spa on Rhodes, the Blue Domes Resort & Spa on Kos and the Sofitel Athens Airport in Spata. They will be followed on July 10 by the Galini Wellness Spa & Resort in Kamena Vourla in central Greece, with further announcements expected for more units of the Mitsis Hotels chain.

• Both the Mitsis and the Mantonanakis groups stressed that very strict health protocols are being adopted for safeguarding the health of their guests and their employees alike.

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