Τρίτη 16.04.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Civil Protection Minister in Corfu: "We΄re at a very critical juncture."

Civil Protection
05 Μαρτίου 2021 / 14:12

CORFU. "With care and patience in a few months we will be flooded with visitors again and we΄ll be smiling once again," said Michalis Chrisohoidis.

Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis was optimistic that tourism will restart in the Ionian Islands on his visit to Corfu to meet with local authorities.

He said that he is visiting the island to coordinate efforts to deal with the pandemic, focussing on adherence to the measures and the implementation of the vaccination programme.



Present at the meeting were Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa, Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands Mayor Meropi Ydraiou, North Corfu Mayor Giorgos Mahimaris, Hospital Director Leonidas Roubatis and the Deputy Regional Governors for Social Welfare and Civil Protection Kostas Zorbas and Giorgos Miliotis.

The Minister also met with officials at the Ionian Islands Regional Police Headquarters.



Mr. Chrisohoidis told the local media, "We΄re at a very critical juncture. The vaccination programme is proceeding very quickly and we are amongst the leading countries in Europe and we are also handling the pandemic in the best possible way. Consequently, we are at a critical stage and it would be a shame now, when we are ready to open up social life and the market very shortly, to have any further delays."

He said that he is visiting the island "to give specific guidelines, to collaborate with the Regional Authority and the Municipalities in order to have productive discussions and to ensure that all the measures to limit the spread of the virus are in place on our islands."

"We had a productive discussion," the Minister added. "We will remain in contact and proceed with the implementation of proposals from the local representatives and I believe that in two weeks from today we will be in a position to reopen and to smile once again. I would ask you to have patience, get vaccinated and take care.

"The Hellenic Police and other supervisory authorities have been working heroically for the last 13 months to ensure adherence to the measures. I call on the public to have a little more patience, although I know it is exhausting - let's take care for a little while longer and then spring will also come in our hearts as the vaccination programme proceeds."

With regard to the vaccination programme, Mr. Chrisohoidis said, "The small islands have been almost completely vaccinated. It is now the turn of the bigger islands and other professional groups.

"The Ionian Islands are extremely attractive destinations for Europe and the UK. You can be certain that, by implementing the government's road map, we will be flooded with visitors again and we΄ll be smiling once again."