British expats in Greece concerns as they must be vaccinated or pay £85 – ‘can’t enforce!’

Covid: Travellers recall ‘stressful’ process of pre-travel tests

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Only 62 percent of the Greek population is vaccinated compared to a European average of 66 percent. Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced the Government will now fine unvaccinated people.

He said: “It’s not a penalty. I’d say it’s a health levy, motivation for precaution, a boost to life, but also an act of justice towards the vaccinated majority.

“We can’t have people being deprived of public health services they need because certain others have dug in their heels and refuse to do what is self-evident.”

After the announcement, 60,000 older residents signed up to be vaccinated according to Al Jazeera.

Unvaccinated residents are also banned from indoor restaurants, bars, theatres and gyms and need a negative test to enter non-essential shops.

In Greece, Covid numbers have been rising and 80 percent of the most seriously affected patients are unvaccinated.

British expats in Greece will also need to make sure they are vaccinated or pay the Government fine.

The British Embassy posted on its Facebook page, ‘Brits in Greece’ : “The Greek Government has now confirmed that it will be mandatory for all residents of Greece who will be aged 60 years old or over on the 16 January 2022 to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

“Those belonging to this age group who haven’t had, or booked, their first dose by 16 January will be fined €100 (£85) for every month they remain unvaccinated.

“Those residents who will be younger than 60 on 16 January will also be required to become vaccinated once they turn 60.

“Depending on your circumstances you can book your vaccination appointment online, at a Citizen’s Bureau (KEP) or at a pharmacist.”

Some expats reacted with anger to the news of the upcoming fines for unvaccinated people in Greece.

One said: “Mandatory isn’t law. You can’t enforce people to be part of a medical experiment.”

Wendy Marks said: “How will you feel when they dictate you have a jab every three months of they decide you must have a procedure you don’t want!”

However, another named Carl Rhodes said: “Something that is mandatory must be done, or is demanded by law, so even if you think it’s not law, the Government is saying it must be done.

“If you don’t want a vaccine pay the 100 euros a month, and stay indoors so you can’t infect the rest of us.”

On Twitter, The Greek Analyst, tweeted: “Heard stories from foreigners and expats living in Greece who want to get vaccinated but have trouble signing up for booster shots.”

Erika Thomas replied: “I had to get my first two vaccinations in UK because I couldn’t get a temporary AMKA.

“I now have one but can’t get my booster here because I was vaccinated in UK. Catch 22! Back to London next month.”

An AMKA is a Greek social security number which is essentially the work and insurance ID of every employee and member of their family.

Greece has previously offered people incentives to get vaccinated, including 50MB of free mobile phone data.

A Greek medical student, Manolis Panteli, told Al Jazeera: “People who don’t do it say it’s about personal freedom. But there’s a very fine line between where one person’s freedom ends and another person’s freedom begins.”

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