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Covid-19: Greek Minister Says Perks for the Vaccinated in the Pipeline 

Greek Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

Individuals who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will soon have certain advantages, including access to indoor venues in the winter, said Greek Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis on Wednesday.

Referring to the reluctance of a large part of the Greek population to get the jab, Georgiadis said “those who decide not to get vaccinated will have to face the consequences”, underlining that “a business cannot face the risk of closure because an employee wishes to exercise his supposed right not to be vaccinated”.

The minister said that under the current labor law, a company has the right to fire an employee if they considered as putting the company at risk.

“If an employee wants to endanger other fellow citizens and colleagues, he has not right to entitlements,” he said, echoing Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou’s comment that the Greek Constitution in no way condones endangering the life of others.

Privileges for the Vaccinated, or Liberties?

Photo source: European Commission

Photo source: European Commission

Georgiadis’ reaction comes in the midst of an ongoing debate in Greece over the possibility of making vaccination mandatory for some groups and granting privileges to those who are fully vaccinated. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed earlier this week that certain groups will be required by law to get the jab. He also said that the vaccinated would have benefits that would facilitate their life.

The minister reiterated that certain privileges would be granted once it was certain that everyone had access to vaccination, which he expects will be the case in early July.

“In winter, the vaccinated among us will be able to enter closed areas. Those who have not been vaccinated will not be able to,” he said.

Photo © Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI)

Photo © Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI)

Despite reporting a drop in the number of daily cases over the last few days, Greece has also seen a slowdown in vaccination participation. A planned vaccination rollout on the island of Samos came to halt due to lack of participation, which is also the case on the popular tourist island of Corfu and on three more islands. Georgiadis attributes the reluctance to misinformation concerning a certain vaccine.

Speaking during Wednesday’s Covid briefing, Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias said there were “no privileges, no incentives, no rights. Only the gradual easing of restrictions for those who are not at risk,” reiterating that the issue of benefits for the vaccinated is currently being discussed and relevant announcements will be made once everyone has access to vaccines.

Earlier today, Mitsotakis urged the younger generations to book their vaccination appointment after the platform opened on Thursday for the 25-29 age group. “The vaccines protects us, our loved ones, and society,” he said via his twitter account. 

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About the Author
Chicago-born and raised, Maria Paravantes has over two decades of journalistic experience covering tourism and travel, gastronomy, arts, music and culture, economy and finance, politics, health and social issues for international press and media. She has worked for Reuters, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, Billboard Magazine, Time Out Athens, the Athens News, Odyssey Magazine and SETimes.com, among others. She has also served as Special Advisor to Greece’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the mayor of Athens on international press and media issues. Maria is currently a reporter, content and features writer for GTP Headlines.
  1. Anne-Marie Angelakopoulos Reply

    The vaccine helps stop hospitalisation for the vulnerable or elderly. It does not stop transmission or re-infection. Boosters like flu will be needed. Also people for are still going in hospital having had 1 or 2 jabs. That is also worth looking at as we are still in a trial until 2023. Vaccine reactions and deaths are standing at over 17000 at the moment and these were healthy people of all ages with no problems unlike like the average age of 75 year olds that died supposedly with Covid 28 days after a non diagnostic PCR test. You need to think carefully of why governments are so desperate to get us all jabbed when initially it was meant to be for the vulnerable and elderly population! Don’t just rely on TV and government, they always have am agenda that is not always for our benefit. Vaccinated ID is a way of controlling. You need to look at data. Covid was taken off the highly contagious list way back in February 2020 by the World Health Organisation.

  2. Radha warrell Reply

    Mr Munro, you have every right to have the vaccination. I have a different opinion about this very new COVID treatment called
    a vaccine. I choose to be careful, continue
    social distancing and complete hygiene methods and be respectful of others rights.
    But I want my civil and rights respected too!
    There needs to be more tests on the
    mRNA being administered. The numbers
    Of severe side effects and deaths from it are far too many. Check the government sites
    Of America CDC. UK MY NHS Europ EMA

  3. Espen Tranoy Reply

    Many countries in Africa and Caribean require vaccinations for you to enter. Australia too.
    Up until now, not because of COVID but to prevent other infections or deceases. You are of course free to choose not to take the vaccine and not go there.

    More complicated in the office: Do you really have the right to be a treath to your fellow workers? Perhaps not go to work then as you will not travel to where you need a vaccine….

  4. Radha Warrell Reply

    Tyranny! Blackmail ….

  5. Martin Munro Reply

    We would all prefer not to have a vaccine BUT like it or not it is the only way to defeat the virus. I consider it my civic duty to be vaccinated for myself my family and friends.
    There is NO confirmed evidence that having had Covid you are safe ! The antibodies have a time span and research continues to see for how long.

  6. R. Ferguson Reply

    Young people do not need vaccinated, the healthy do not need vaccinated this is modern day Nazisum

  7. R Ferguson Reply

    Blackmail to get vaccinated reports in the USA say if you have had the virus there is no need to get vaccinated, what Governments around the World are doing is a disgrace.

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