Government Issues 24/7 Music Ban in New Bid to Stop COVID-19

Leaders in Greece announced Saturday that music will be banned around the clock until the end of the month on the popular tourist island of Mykonos in response to a surge in COVID cases, which could depress industry to the island’s tourism-based economy.

Ban on Music was informed by Greek Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias.

“We urge residents, visitors and professionals of our beautiful island to faithfully comply with the measures, as well as the island’s authorities, to immediately activate information and control mechanisms. monitor their compliance, so that the spread of the virus and Mykonos is controlled and limited,” Hardalias said in a statement. New information posted.

The island will also start traffic curfew from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, except for business or hospital visits, until July 26.

Reuters Mykonos is reported to be a popular destination for the rich and famous.

Music banned on Greek Mykonos in new COVID-19 restrictions https://t.co/M3bu8YBjJo pic.twitter.com/PUfi9t4tdq

– Reuters (@Reuters) July 17, 2021

The ban on music and other activities drew condemnation from Mayor Konstantinos Koukas of Mykonos.

“Mykonos is the only island where music will not be heard,” he wrote on Facebook, adding that “the only thing that will succeed is that tourists are just motivated to go to other islands”.

“From the very beginning of the pandemic, we have stated that the primary priority of all is the protection of public health, and we have served this consistently and seriously,” he added. “We have always cooperated with all the authorities, we have helped in the implementation of medical procedures, we have actively supported the Medical Center, we have provided necessary means to protect those in need.”

“It is a fact that in recent days there has been an increase in cases mainly of a younger age, but several other parameters need to be taken into account, such as the many tests on our island. I made on the visitors who did not stay. Mykonos, but used Mykonos airport to return,” Koukas wrote.

Reuters reports that tourism accounts for about 1/5 Greek so economic.

Condé Nast Traveler just last week called the stunning Mediterranean location “the party island of Greece”.

Where to stay in Mykonos, the island on the Greek side. https://t.co/j5izr5HsM1 pic.twitter.com/8AFPylW7Aq

– Condé Nast Traveler (@cntraveller) July 14, 2021

Known as the party island of the super-rich, Mykonos is one of Greece’s most popular destinations, attracting more than a million visitors each summer, among them Hollywood stars and models. and world-famous athletes,” Reuters noted of the beautiful island destination.

The impact of moving can wreak havoc on Mykonos, in between travel Season.

The rationale behind the music ban is that people in a resort restaurant or bar may have to talk to each other, which officials say could increase the chance of a new COVID infection as people get closer. each other more.

“Our city government operates with seriousness, responsibility and composure and always respects the national effort and state laws,” Koukas concluded in his Facebook post. “But here also failure and injustice. One mistake leads nowhere. And it needs to be fixed immediately.”