ATHENS – After the adoption by the shipping ministry and the Committee of Special Infectious Diseases of European directives – which must be observed by passengers and crew on cruise ships in Greek ports – and the resumption of air transport, the reopening οf the cruise sector will gradually follow, the general secretary of the Association of Cruise Ships and Shipping Agents, as well as Vice President of the operational sector of Celestyal Cruises, George Koumbenas, said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA).

He noted that the University of Thessaly has undertaken to draft the programme of the instructions that must be followed by passengers and crew on cruise ships throughout Europe, in the context of HEALTHY GATEWAYS programme for the coronavirus pandemic.

"Every country in the European Union has the right to make small changes to these European directives," he said. It is noted that the University of Thessaly was also responsible for drafting a European programme concerning hygiene on ships.