The visiting 170 doctors will be hosted for free “in recognition and gratitude for their contribution in combating the coronavirus in Germany”, said the Greek tourism ministry, commenting on the gesture.
The flight from Germany will land two days before Greece is officially scheduled to open its regional airports to passenger traffic on July 1. The Greek island of Kos will be just an oasis for host dozens of German doctors for free from Monday.
Officials from German tour operator TUI will be among the passengers and will meet with Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis on the island, the ministry said.
As of Monday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 262 to 193,761, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday. The reported death toll rose by four to 8,961, the tally showed.
The German doctors are enjoying their unexpected free vacancy in Greece, thanks to the local ministry of tourism.
Following long and unexpected quarantine, the European countries are starting to live in post-COVID mode. With a quarter of Greece’s economy dependent on tourism, the government seeks to reassure potential visitors they can safely vacation in Greece as Europe begins to open back up to travel.
In Greece, hundreds of tests are to be conducted daily at regional and island airports around the country, according to the civil protection authority. The epidemiological situation is safe and under control. the health ministry said.
Upon arrival to Greece, all passengers will have to fill out locator forms, including their address of stay, at least 48 hours before entering the country.
Meantime, the EU has yet to determine a list of ‘safe’ countries allowed to visit Europe. The proposed list so far includes Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.
