Greek shipowner Marinakis in self-isolation for coronavirus

Marinakis said in an Instagram post 10 March, that the "well-known virus has paid me a visit and I felt obliged to let the public know". He said he feels “good” and is taking “all necessary measures and I comply with doctors' instructions" adding “I advise the same to all my fellow citizens”.

The 52-year-old shipowner, controls the Capital shipping group operator of some 70 vessels approaching 8m dwt, is a leading personality in the Piraeus community and owner of Greece’s leading football club, the Piraeus-based Olympiakos. He also owns UK’s Nottingham Forest football club.

He was in the UK 6 March to attend Nottingham Forest’s game against Millwall and according to Forest football club, “was diagnosed after showing the first symptoms on his return to Greece”.

On 10 March, Greek authorities confirmed 89 coronavirus cases and no deaths in the country. Marinakis is the most high-profile shipping victim of the virus though shipping companies, like many companies and organiations, have been drawing up and implementing contingency plans to deal with the outbreak.

One of the first victims was an employee of Piraeus Bank and the wife of a senior shipping executive of Kyklades Maritime. The executive tested negative.

On 10 March, schools were closed in greater Athens and many organisations, including shipping companies, are rotating staff, with half working from home and half manning the offices.

No large-scale quarantines have been imposed, but in the western part of the country, where most cases were detected among a group of religious tourists who probably contracted the disease in Egypt or Israel, is under semi-lockdown. Indeed, ports along the country’s western coast have come to a stand-still.

Generally, within the business sector, travel is being kept to a minimum and face-to-face meetings are being cancelled with business being done by e-mail or over the telephone.

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