• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Monday, June 16, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Strict COVID-19 measures do not allow Greek-Australians to travel to Greece

May 16, 2021 | 19:22
in Carousel Front Page, Greek Diaspora
Strict COVID-19 measures do not allow Greek-Australians to travel to Greece

According to all the signs, the holidays in Greece for Greek-Australians will become a pipe dream.

The country has managed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic by taking very strict measures that do not allow complacency, as the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Vassilis Papastergiadis, tells iefimerida.

“Now we can circulate normally, hug each other and go to events with thousands of people. However, the Australian government recently announced it would probably ban its citizens from leaving the country. The intention of the government is to keep the borders closed until the middle of 2022, that is, for at least another year,” said Papastergiadis, who mentioned the deep disappointment of the Greeks who live there.

“I have received many calls from Greek-Australians who tell me that they do not understand why they cannot travel to Greece if they are vaccinated. They feel the great need to meet again their beloved relatives and friends with whom they communicate only by phone since the outbreak of the pandemic.”

Impact on tourism

As Papastergiadis explained, the initial decision of the government to vaccinate the citizens with Astra Zeneca significantly delayed the vaccination process as then the issue of thrombosis arose and it was decided to limit it to those over 50. Apart from the fact that Greek-Australians cannot visit their beloved ones, there will also be consequences for tourism as Greece is an important tourist attraction for Australia.

“Australia’s decision to close its borders is disastrous for all Greek-Australians since most of us have to visit Greece from 2019.

Similarly, it will have disastrous consequences in Greece as there are over 700,000 Greeks in Australia and according to Greek National Tourism Organisation’s statistics, Greek-Australians spend the most per capita money worldwide when they visit Greece and stay for the longest period.

Quarantine with a tracker waistband

Vassilis Papastergiadis stressed that a solution must be found so that people can travel to safe countries, especially when they have been vaccinated.

“I will meet with the Australian health minister soon to discuss this issue and explain the need for an alternative to closing the border, at least for those who have been vaccinated.

Perhaps one solution would be to allow exceptionally vaccinated Australians to travel to Greece and on their return, not be required to quarantine for 14 days in a hotel, as is currently the case, but be allowed to quarantine at home with a tracker waistband as has been the case in Singapore.

“This waistband monitors people if they leave their home during the 14 days.” As pointed out by

Papastergiadis, Australia has dealt with the pandemic crisis with great success, but there are growing voices for more benefits for vaccinated citizens.

Tags: Greek diaspora

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

GOARCH: Greek Parliament welcomed A. Fantis School
Greek Diaspora

GOARCH: Greek Parliament welcomed A. Fantis School

May 16, 2025
Greek Deputy FM meets with Metropolitan of Switzerland and Greek Community in Geneva
Society

Greek Deputy FM meets with Metropolitan of Switzerland and Greek Community in Geneva

February 26, 2025
President of Hellenic Republic: Strength of Greek diaspora emanates from unity and solidarity
Politics

President of Hellenic Republic: Strength of Greek diaspora emanates from unity and solidarity

December 24, 2024
Professor Vrasidas Karalis elected to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of the Humanities
Greek Diaspora

Professor Vrasidas Karalis elected to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of the Humanities

November 21, 2024
Strengthening Bonds: Greek government’s Strategic Vision for the Greek Diaspora
Politics

Strengthening Bonds: Greek government’s Strategic Vision for the Greek Diaspora

August 9, 2024
Training program for Greek-American teachers from community schools of the Archdiocese of America
Greek Diaspora

Training program for Greek-American teachers from community schools of the Archdiocese of America

July 17, 2024
Load More
Next Post
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women was celebrated in Kyiv

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women was celebrated in Kyiv

Latest News

Archbishop of Athens celebrates Name Day with Divine Liturgy (PHOTOS)

Archbishop of Athens celebrates Name Day with Divine Liturgy (PHOTOS)

by NewsRoom
Jun 15, 2025 | 17:50
0

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated in honor of Saint Ieronymos the Pentaglossos, coinciding...

Archbishop of America at Thyranoixia (Door-Opening) of St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church new building

Archbishop of America at Thyranoixia (Door-Opening) of St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church new building

by NewsRoom
Jun 15, 2025 | 16:06
0

The feeling of joy and excitement was palpable at St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church in Valparasio, IN as the...

Archbishop of America honors fathers on Father’s Day

Archbishop of America honors fathers on Father’s Day

by NewsRoom
Jun 15, 2025 | 15:37
0

On Sunday, June 15, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America shared a heartfelt message on social media in celebration of Father’s...

Greek PM: Developments in the Middle East causing great concern

Greek PM: Developments in the Middle East causing great concern

by NewsRoom
Jun 15, 2025 | 14:46
0

"Another crisis has erupted in our region. Yet another crisis in an already burdened and volatile geopolitical landscape. The...

Ecumenical Patriarch honors Graduates of Four Greek Orthodox Schools in Constantinople

Ecumenical Patriarch honors Graduates of Four Greek Orthodox Schools in Constantinople

by NewsRoom
Jun 15, 2025 | 13:49
0

A festive graduation ceremony for the students of four prominent Greek Orthodox schools—the Zappeion, the Patriarchal Great School of...

Metropolitan of Chicago on Minnesota tragedy: We are called to unite rather than divide

Metropolitan of Chicago on Minnesota tragedy: We are called to unite rather than divide

by NewsRoom
Jun 15, 2025 | 13:09
0

Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago shared a heartfelt message on social media addressing the tragic loss of Minnesota State Representative...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

Terms Of Use

© 2025 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT