The Greek government is seeking to increase the number of quarantine hotels on the islands and to establish “Covid-cabins” on ferries to allow return of travelers tested positive.
The shortages of beds and rooms in such hotels became noticeable over the weekend on Mykonos, Paros, and Alonissos islands. On the first two islands, quarantine hotels were full. On Alonissos, there is no quarantine hotel. The Greek authorities planned that tested positive patients would be transferred to Skiathos. However, they had anticipated that without the Shipping Ministry and National Health Organization EODY, they would not allow positive Covid-19 people on their ships or boats.
People became trapped on the islands because no ship or ferry was allowed to carry them to the mainland or an alternate island, local and foreign tourists had no place to stay, to spend the ordered time of quarantine and protect the others.
The reason for the situation was the Shipping Ministry decision late last Friday, according to which unvaccinated tourists had to undergo mandatory Covid-tests before getting on board on a ferry or ship for the return to the mainland.
The ministry never made any provision on what would happen to those tested positive and trapped on the islands.
Local media reported that an extraordinary meeting was to take place on the issue and that the Civil Protection would allegedly propose:
- Increase of quarantine hotels and or requisition of rooms to let on the islands
- Special “Covid-cabins” on ferries so that those tested positive be able to leave the islands immediately
Shipping Minister Giannis Plakiotakis confirmed on Wednesday morning that a “Covid-cabins” plan was on the table and examined, but nothing official.
The media reported there were 30 quarantine hotels in Greece.
The plan was to increase them with another 17, while some have begun operations.
Quarantine hotels are each one in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Aitoloakarnania, Evros, Kavala, Achaia, Kozani, Magnesia, Corinth, Drama, Fokida, Pieria, Ioannina, Chania, Lassithi, Santorini, Kos, Skyros, Karpathos, Thassos, Skopelos, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Alonissos (now), Lefkada, Naxos, Lemnos, Evia, Leros, Ios, Samothrace, Kalymnos, Ikaria.
Each 2 in Attica, Heraklion, Corfu, Rhodes, Paros.
On Mykonos, there is now one hotel and three houses.
