Italy like Greece, in the wake of the Covid-free island plan. By the end of April, the inhabitants of the 69 Greek islands will receive the vaccine. The goal is to get the summer season off to a good start, the hub of the country's tourist activity.
A discourse that very much mirrors the Italian one, even if the “Bel Paese” boasts decidedly encouraging numbers, from the point of view of tourism, even on the mainland. The idea that is making its way into the government buildings and in some regions is to protect the residents and workers of the smaller islands. From Ischia to Ponza, from the Aeolian Islands to Elba. In a second moment, however, the vaccination would also be carried out Sicilia and Sardinia.
An idea accepted in a way that is anything but unitary by various political parties. These hesitations do not seem to be able to stop the work of some governors. Just think of De Luca in Campania, certain of wanting to vaccinate in full Ischia, Capri e Procida. With the heat that will quickly overwhelm the entire boot and the foreseeable reopenings coming up, many are wondering which islands are destined to fall into this bubble.
What the plan entails
The procedure for the introduction of the Covid-free islands has also started in Italy, all through a "Planning relating to the organizational preparation for carrying out the vaccination campaign in favor of the population in the smaller islands".
This means that there are parameters to be respected in order to access this list. You need some security guarantees as regards the local medical center and health facilities. If all goes well, it will allow the resumption of the activity in serenity. This will lead to seasonal workers returning to their jobs. A plan that involves the use of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.
The top three in the class could be Capri, Linosa and Lampedusa. The status of Covid-free islands could be obtained, in these cases, already by the end of April, if the supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccines were to restart. In case of further delays, an attempt will be made to complete this first cycle by mid-May.
The vaccination campaign will cover the entire population over 18, as announced by Michele Forgione, mayor of Favignana. Beyond the first three mentioned, the rest of the Italian islands aim to immunize by the end of June, in time to face the summer “high season” phase.
Covid-free islands, what they are
Here is the provisional list of islands ready to be vaccinated:
- Ischia
- Capri
- Procida
- Aeolian
- egadi
- Pelagia
- pontine
- Elba island
- Giglio Island
- Sardinia
The goal is, as explained, to be able to equip the splendid Italian islands with a sort of "safety stamp". This could allow local and foreign tourists to book their holidays in absolute serenity.
Vaccinating the entire local population and workers scheduled for the summer period does not a priori exclude the risks of the pandemic. The vaccine does not prevent the transmission of the virus. This means that we cannot expect a summer without the well-known health devices and basic safety standards. It will be essential to respect the specific rules provided, protecting oneself and the islands that are world heritage sites.
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Let's hope so 🙂
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