Covid free islands spark debate. Codacons: Abuse to the detriment of the elderly and frail

The proposal to create Covid free islands continues to cause discussion. Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia argues that Italy can do the same as Greece and called the issue "the usual storm in a glass of water,“ since ” Covid free islands are small islands and consequently so are the numbers. This is avery good marketing operation."

“Let’s give the signal that also in Italy, as for other countries like Greece there is this opportunity,” he said during a speech he gave on a TV program. “If you do it you are on a par with others, if you don’t you are one step behind and one books somewhere else. And this we cannot afford. We’re not talking about numbers that are impossible to handle.” He concluded, “Before completing the Covid free islands operation, which has very small numbers, in fact we are not talking about Sicily, but smaller islands and with sustainable numbers, it is clear that first we have to comply with the order of Commissioner Figliuolo, which provides for the older groups first. Once this is completed we can move to Covid free islands.”

Among those opposed to mass vaccinations on the smaller islands to jumpstart tourism is Codacons.

“The claim that all residents of the islands should be vaccinated as a priority to make them Covid-free places for tourism is absurd and without foundation,” commented President Carlo Rienzi. "Such a measure, if implemented, should also be extended to cities with a strong tourist vocation such as Rome, Venice or Florence, which would otherwise be unfairly discriminated against.“ ”Mass vaccination on the smaller islands would, above all, represent an abuse to the detriment of the elderly and at-risk categories, because it would take away from them precious doses of vaccine that would go to cover individuals who have no right to receive the vials on a priority basis, initiating inevitable legal disputes and appeals. If you really want to boost tourism on the smaller islands,“ Rienzi concludes, ” mandatory swabbing of travelers should be imposed before entry and every three days, so as to detect positive cases in real time, isolate the infected and prevent the spread of the virus."

Pictured is the island of Capri. Ph.Credit

Covid free islands spark debate. Codacons: Abuse to the detriment of the elderly and frail

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