Greece’s tourist reopening brings more infections
but no economic panacea
The government has gradually opened up to visitors
since mid-June, but it’s not been a great success.
By NEKTARIA
STAMOULI 7/18/20, 10:00 AM CET Updated 7/20/20, 4:29 AM CET
The Greek
government felt it had little choice but to take the calculated risk of opening
up to visitors
ATHENS —
Greece's gamble on opening up to tourists isn't paying off.
With
tourism making up more than a fifth of the country's economic output and
employing around a quarter of its workforce, the Greek government felt it had
little choice but to take the calculated risk of opening up to visitors. But
even the few foreign travelers who have begun to return have triggered new
chains of coronavirus infections, while the economic benefits have so far been
muted.
Greece has
weathered the health crisis better than most, with just 194 deaths so far
attributed to COVID-19. But an uptick in cases following the reopening of
borders last month is an indication of how difficult it will be for countries
across Europe to return to economic normality. The government last week
tightened or imposed new restrictions amid warnings from epidemiologists about
ripples of infection turning into a full-blown second wave.
In the
first two weeks of July, around 530 new infections have been traced, with more
than half coming from incoming visitors. That's higher than the total number of
cases reported in June and almost double May's confirmed infections.
"We
all knew, both we and our scientists and experts, that with the opening of our
borders we would have a partial increase in cases," said Greek Health
Minister Vassilis Kikilias last week. But he added, "the economy and
tourism must survive."
With
visitor numbers down, farmers supplying local hotels, for example, have
uprooted tomatoes and watermelons that they cannot sell.
The Greek
government began opening up from June 15, something for which the tourism
industry, terrified at the prospect of a tumbleweed summer, had pushed hard.
“Unfortunately
we have to do it, because it looks like the danger from coronavirus will be
smaller than the danger from its effects on the economy,” said Savvas
Pagonakis, who owns a hotel on the island of Rhodes. “We will have to choose
coronavirus or hunger.”
So far,
however, the economic boost has been disappointing. Pagonakis says some
hoteliers started with bookings at 30 percent, but that had now halved.
"EasyJet resumed with six direct flights per week and this has dropped now
to three,” he said. Hotels on the mainland are around a quarter full according
to local hoteliers. In June, air passenger arrivals to Greece were down by 93
percent to just 588,186 from nearly 8.4 million last year.
Pagonakis
expects a tough winter for the Greek islands as the tourism slump impacts other
sectors. With visitor numbers down, farmers supplying local hotels, for
example, have uprooted tomatoes and watermelons that they cannot sell.
The
government has already had to tighten some measures for arrivals into the
country. With daily infection rates surging in Balkan countries, as of last
week all travelers crossing Greece's land border were required to have negative
test results from the past 72 hours. The authorities have also intensified
controls on seasonal migrant workers and imposed a tighter inspection regime
for local businesses, especially at beaches. It also banned local village
festivals, a Greek summer must, at least until the end of July.
Supermarket
employees and customers had to wear face masks as of Saturday, according to a
joint ministerial decision issued late Friday, and those not wearing masks
could be fined up to €150. The wearing of face masks had been recommended but
only lightly enforced on public transport and in taxis.
“When we
opened the borders we did not expect such a strong presence of the virus in the
Balkans, back then the cases were low, which is another indication of how
volatile things are,” said professor of microbiology Alkis Vatopoulos. “We also
observe that public compliance with health safety rules in the country is very
relaxed.”
Religious
gatherings are one concern, with thousands of worshippers packed together
without social distancing in Thessaloniki and Athens in early July to pay their
respects to Saint Paisios.
The
government says it is prepared to reimpose restrictions if necessary. Health
Minister Kikilias said ministers are working on "a Plan B with local
lockdowns, if needed,” but that the country could not go back into full
lockdown.
"No
one should be locked inside. We should enjoy our country. Its beauties. Its
seas. We should go to the beach, but avoid crowds. It is possible and it is a
necessary condition that we must all respect," he added.
Greece's
tourist industry will be crossing its fingers that visitors can enjoy the
country without sparking a second wave.
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