20 April 2020

Announcement

On Sunday night (19/04) a 6 month pregnant woman from Africa who was hosted at the temporary facility for asylum seekers in Porto Heli, Southern Greece, required hospitalization in relation to her pregnancy and was transferred with an ambulance to the hospital of Nafplio. According to the measures developed by the Greek Authorities and through relevant health checks and medical examinations, the woman was found positive to COVID 19. Given the fact that she is asymptomatic and upon instructions given by the hospital, she remains isolated in one room.

According to the protocols developed by the Greek authorities, the hotel, which currently hosts 470 asylum seekers, has been put in quarantine under the supervision of the National Health Organization (EODY) and Ministry of Migration and Asylum, with restricted mobility of its population. IOM staff remains present at the temporary accommodation facility providing support within the DG Home funded project FILOXENIA; IOM facility coordinator, interpreters, psychologists, social workers and legal counsellors are in constant contact with all stakeholders to support in this challenging situation, raising further awareness about National guidelines on COVID 19 among the asylum seekers. IOM staff has been provided with all necessary equipment such as masks, gloves and uniforms, while all hotel facilities have been disinfected.

The EODY is present at the hotel, conducting COVID 19 tests to all population including Hotel and IOM staff. IOM remains in constant and close communication with EODY and Ministry of Migration and Asylum and we will support any further initiative needed.