Greek sex workers criticize Covid safety guidelines

Greek sex workers are concerned that new health and safety guidelines to protect them and their clients against the coronavirus will harm their business.

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.

"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.

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.

"They are ridiculous and I'm putting it mildly," said Rita, who manages a brothel in central Athens.

On Monday evening, business was...