Nearly 200 German frontline staff including medical staff, police officers and supermarket workers who worked through the fight against COVID-19 are enjoying a free ‘thank you’ holiday trip to Kos, Greece for their contribution during the pandemic.

The contingent flew from Hanover for a five days’ holiday on the eastern Aegean island, the birthplace of ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the father of Medicine.

Travellers were selected by German newspaper Bild following a public nomination process on the trip organised by TUI. The passengers, were seen alighting the plane with their face mask though they all underwent precautionary tests for COVID-19 before leaving for the trip.

“The virus is still there… We have to be careful and we have to follow the rules and we’ll manage it together,” said Stephen, one of the passengers, who works as an officer at the German Chancellery.

Greece tourism Minister Harry Theocharis said he hoped the visitors would enjoy a holiday “well deserved for their achievements”.

TUI said that in the first week of July it plans 56 flights to Greek destinations, including to Crete and Rhodes.