Greek Health Ministry Denies Claims There Are Bedbugs in Accommodation Spots Following Illicit Campaign Targeting Tourists
The Greek health ministry has asked the police for help against frauds who tried to scare foreign tourists out of apartments in Athens by falsely accusing these accommodation places for having bedbugs.
The ministry said in a statement that posters outside apartment buildings in the city centre, which held a fake logo of the Health Ministry as well as Athens municipality, were absolutely false, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
According to the Guadian, the posters claimed that health authorities had ordered local private guesthouses to be evacuated in order to protect public health.
The posters noted that the reason for the evacuations was a bedbug infestation, and tenants who failed to leave these accommodations would be fined up to €500.
Athens and other parts of Greece are facing a housing problem, in addition to living costs, which is driven by the proliferation of short-term rental apartments, that are often rented for foreign visitors.
The country generates a lot of its income from tourism with the sector accounting for Greece’s economy and one-fifth of its annual income. This year is especially important for Greek tourism since it is expected that arrivals will reach a new record.
The health ministry has asked the police authorities to address the hoax and noted that nobody is allowed to terrorise and misinform the public, especially on public health.
While the bedbug infestation has been a problem for France earlier this year, Greece has not recorded any issues with the insects.
Regarding the French government, transport minister Clement Beaune had asked travellers to remain calm and denied claims that there is an outbreak of bedbugs in public transport. Social media users, on the other hand, reported there was such a break in Paris public transport. The Paris City Halls had requested for the authorities to act on the matter, directing a letter to Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France.
Bed bugs are a public health problem and should be reported as such. The State must urgently bring together all the stakeholders concerned in order to deploy an action plan commensurate with this scourge as the whole of France prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.
Some of the recommendations that SNCF listed include regular deep cleaning and anti-pest procedures in several areas of the city. They recommended the preventive measures be carried out every 15 days instead of 60 days as they currently are.
