The Abbot of Esfigmenou Monastery, Bartholomew, made an unbelievable complaint about some pilgrims’ entry, especially from Romania, with fraudulent certificates.
In particular, the Abbot complains, in fact, that some people put antiseptic in their nose before the rapid test to test negative and enter the Mount Athos, as reported by thesstoday.gr.
They do not care if are positive or if they will transmit the virus
More specifically, speaking on radio in Thessaloniki, Bartholomew emphasizes that:
“We have issues with the fraudulent certificates that are trying to enter Mount Athos and they do not care if these people are positive or if they will transmit the virus. Many, mainly from Romania, have been found with fraudulent certificates or putting antiseptic on their noses and so that they test negative after the rapid test, which is a requirement before entering Mount Athos. That means they are more disciplined because they are from another country.”
Rapid test is a prerequisite for the entrance to Mount Athos
The Abbot also emphasized that everyone had the obligation to do a rapid test to enter, vaccinated or not, as it is a condition for entering the monastic state.
“In Ouranoupolis, the political administration has arranged for a point where everyone who wants to enter Mount Athos goes before receiving the accommodation permission to do a rapid test. The result comes out in 10-15 minutes and, if it is negative, they can come in. If it is positive, National Public Health Organization (NPHO) is informed and they leave,” he pointed out.