The Greek health ministry has sought police assistance in addressing a bedbug hoax aimed to scare foreign tourists away from some short-term rental apartments in Athens.
False posters, featuring fake logos of the ministry and Athens municipality, were put up outside apartment buildings in the city centre, claiming that health authorities had ordered the evacuation of local guesthouses due to a non-existent bedbug infestation.
The warnings, written in misspelled English, instructed visitors to leave their accommodations, with a threat of a €500 fine for non-compliance, followed by a message wishing them a pleasant stay in Greece.
The health ministry has alerted the police to take action against this hoax, emphasizing that nobody should be allowed to terrorize or misinform the public regarding public health matters.
Athens and other parts of Greece have been facing housing problems, exacerbated by the rise in short-term rental apartments for foreign visitors and a cost of living crisis, resulting in increased long-term rental costs for locals.
