Organized tours from China to Greece have been stopped and local authorities are on alert due to the corona virus.
The Greek Education Ministry is preparing instructions for the protection of students and the health authorities at the Athens International Airport are on alert. The Greek National Health Organization is considering the risk of corona virus infections in the country as “low”
China’s ambassador to Greece, China Zhang Qiyue, held a meeting with Health Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, in order to inform him on the measures being taken in China to control the epidemic caused by the corona virus.
The ambassador stressed that the Chinese authorities have suspended all organized tours both domestically and abroad to prevent the spread of the virus. As of today, travel agencies in China cannot book Greek hotels or sell organized group trips, similar to the one that arrived at “Eleftherios Venizelos” on Sunday.
Minister Kikkilias informed the Chinese delegation of the preventive measures already taken by the Greek health authorities at both the airports and hospitals.
Education Ministry
The Education Ministry is preparing a circular containing measures and instructions to protect the school population from the corona virus. The circular will be sent to all primary and secondary schools in due time.
National Health Organization
At a meeting of EODDY, experts decided that the risk level in Greece remains low, while the level of alert and preparation is high.
Health scientists have decided, there is currently no need to install thermal cameras at the airports to check on tourists for any symptoms of the corona virus.
The Health Minister told media, however, that if needed thermal cameras and portable thermometers will be available at airports.
The Health Unit at the Athens airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” was prepared and on high alert to deal with any passengers infected with the virus.
Last week, a drill was held in one of the big hospitals in Athens.
“There is no magic way that the virus does not reach a country,” Minister Kikkilias said stressing that “there is prevention and the possibility of proper information wiithout panic.”
First checks in Athens airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”
Alarm bells rang on Saturday morning when a group with tourists from China arrived. The tourist guide informed the authorities and called in medical teams. The tourists were checked and received the greenlight to continue their travel to Santorini.
On Monday, local broadcasters showed individual passengers arriving from China, Chinese and Greeks, who said that they were checked at the departure airport.
Source: keeptalkinggreece
