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Greek Ferries Ready to Carry Visitors to Islands, Minister Says

Greek Ferries Ready to Carry Visitors to Islands, Minister Says

(Bloomberg) --

While there is still no pan-European protocol for how airlines should operate amid the coronavirus pandemic, Greece is ready to transport tourists on ferries to its islands, the country’s Shipping Minister said.

Once tourists are allowed to come, “we have a protocol in place for ferries in Greece for the protection of passengers and the crew and their safe transport,” Yannis Plakiotakis told reporters in Athens in a video conference. The fate of tourism in Greece and elsewhere in Europe is linked to how the airlines will operate, he said.

Investor interest in the privatization of Greece’s ports remains high despite the pandemic and, unlike airports, seaports haven’t stopped operating, Plakiotakis said. The government is waiting for a completed proposal from the country’s state asset sales fund in order to make a decision on if, and how, to proceed with the privatization of 4 regional ports; Alexandroupolis, Igoumenitsa, Irakleio and Volos, he said. The fund has started the process to find legal and economic advisers.

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