Plexiglass barriers to separate tourists on Santorini as Greece wants visitors to return

·

There is a new addition at a bar on Santorini. The beach lounge chairs are surrounded by plexiglass screens, a precaution against coronavirus once the island starts getting visitors again.

Beach bar owner Charlie Chahine says he does not like it, but if that is the way it has to be for tourists to return, then that is what he is doing.

“We hope these constructions you see are not going to be the future for beaches. We don’t want this, but if this is necessary, and if this is what people’s safety depends on, such a construction or any such construction – we (just) want to work, we want to get going,” said Chahine.

Businesses on Greece’s most popular holiday island are adopting all kinds of hygiene measures, anxious for the season to start.

They are aware they will have already missed months of business if the country opens to tourists in July, as the government has forecast as the country eases lockdown measures that began on March 23.

Impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on the island of Santorini. Photo: Reuters

Santorini is a popular destination for tourists globally. Each summer its cobblestone streets are crammed. In 2018 2 million people came to this volcanic island. It is also a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons. Now the streets and rooftop terraces are empty.

Vice President of the Santorini Hotel Association Andreas Patiniotis said bookings in June last year were at 70%, while at the moment it hovers at 30% at most. He acknowledges things will not be easy.

“I believe we have to start somewhere, so that there is work for our suppliers, for our employees. There are so many people that depend on hotels.”

Hotel owner Panagiotis Loutos has been carrying out repairs on his property. Looking at his empty pool, he says it is not just the fears of financial loss. His heart breaks to see his hotel sitting empty.

“We are going to be ready in 10 days, that is the only thing that is sure. We see the (preparations) and we are happy, but it hurts, (because) the absence of people – it’s something you can’t even talk about,” he said.

Sourced By: Reuters

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Is chaos a strategy? My unplanned plan to moving overseas

Book the ticket. Pack your logic (and walking shoes). And if you're lucky, a stranger in a hostel might just become a lifelong friend.

Melbourne mum Debbie Voulgaris breaks silence from Taiwanese jail

Debbie Voulgaris has broken her silence from a Taiwanese prison, speaking out for the first time since her 2023 arrest for drug smuggling.

St George Saints bounce back with a big win

The St George Saints Mens White team were on a mission to avenge previous losses this week. Read more about it here.

Erdogan to be invited to Cyprus-led EU Council in push for regional dialogue

Cyprus has revealed plans to host a high-level EU Council meeting in April 2026, inviting leaders including Erdogan.

Judicial term ends for Cyprus Judge who made landmark ruling in Thanasis Nicolaou case

Judge Doria Varoshiotou will not be made a permanent judge after completing her two-year probationary term.

You May Also Like

Vasili’s Taxidi: Sydney’s Longest Running Delicatessen – Olympic Continental Deli

Vasili's Taxidi: Sydney’s longest running delicatessen is none other than Olympic Continental Deli Bankstown and the Karpouzis family has been running from 1956!

Meet the Greek Australian SA Woman Awards finalist shining a light on neurodiversity

After having faced her own challenges, SA Woman Awards Finalist Sam Papavasiliou has turned to advocating for neurodivergent people.

Inside a Greek COVID-19 intensive care ward [VIDEO]

Greece's efforts to contain COVID-19 appear to be paying off, with a far lower death toll than many other European nations.