Greece Set to Announce ‘Privileges’ for the Vaccinated

Greek Government Spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni.

Greek authorities are expected to announce special rights for the fully vaccinated including greater freedom of movement, access to indoor and crowded spaces as well as other liberties, said Government Spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni on Monday.

Speaking during a weekly press briefing, Peloni confirmed that “privileges” for vaccinated residents were in the pipeline as an incentive to boost vaccination rates in view of the fact that vaccines are fully available and accessible to all.

She said the government had prepared “a framework of rules that concerns controlled activities in specific services where greater freedoms and range of movement would be given to those who are vaccinated both indoors and in open crowded spaces”.

Peloni went on to refer to another incentive for vaccination, the newly announced Freedom Pass, presented earlier on Monday by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis which offers 18- to 25-year-olds a 150-euro gift card to be used for travel and entertainment.

She described the pass as a “reward” to the young who “put their lives, their education, and their friends on hold” due to the coronavirus restrictions. She also said that they are among the age groups with greater mobility.

The government’s spokesperson reiterated the call for vaccination and added that the incentive was now more than ever necessary to ensure younger generations were vaccinated against Covid-19 fast in view of the feared spread of the Delta variant.

Lastly, referring to areas with low vaccination turnout, Peloni stressed that the risk of Covid infection and particularly with the Delta variant was very serious.

“It’s always easier and more effective to control a local outbreak from the start instead of letting it get out of control,” she said.