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By Lefteris Papadimas
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ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek sex workers are concerned that new health and safety guidelines to protect them and their clients against the coronavirus will harm their business.
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Regulations which came into force on June 15 urge sex workers to keep names and contact numbers of customers, who will lose the anonymity they previously sought.
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“What client is going to give us their personal information? I tell you, people are going to go hungry,” said Anna Kouroupou, a trans-woman who heads Red Umbrella, a support group.
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As brothels across the country reopened on Monday, the rules dictate the use of masks, partners keeping their heads apart, bed linen changed after each encounter, cashless payments and clients leaving a name and contact number.
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“They are ridiculous and I\\\’m putting it mildly,” said Rita, who manages a brothel in central Athens.
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On Monday evening, business was brisk. But with the new requirements, sex workers wonder for how long.
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“It\\\’s been mad, someone said sex-starved,” said Rita, counting out 15 euros left by each client.
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Those in the industry are anxious to earn some money now as sex workers received no benefits during the lockdown. Kouroupou would do fund-raisers, and collect supermarket coupons to help others.
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She and others in the business fear the new rules may force sex workers to go underground. She also dismisses the notion of orderly queues at brothels.
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“They almost break down the door in their hurry to get in because they are embarrassed to be seen. How will they be expected to queue? It\\\’s ridiculous.”
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(Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Giles Elgood)
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