17 protective equipment (PPE). Combined, these from those who arrive in quarantine. From the factors have rendered the gathering of infor- research conducted, only the police was visibly mation about the Chios quarantine challenging. present during quarantine. None of the persons Thus, the only insight into quarantine proce- interviewed mentioned or were aware of any dures and conditions has been gained through presence or responsibility of RIS. interviews with those who were quarantined, At the same time, the law as amended by the between August 2021 and March 2022. JMD of 1st of May 2022, foresees a 5-day quaran- However, before the quarantine began, those tine in the RIC and therefore under the respon- who presented themselves to Greek authorities sibility of RIS. 32 Therefore the law explicitly at Vial would automatically have their asylum establishes a quarantine under the authority of claims registered in some form, either through a RIS while at the same time clarifying that the pre-registration by police or a full registration quarantine must be conducted inside the RIC, through RIS – though this could take some time recognizing the status of those quarantined as due to high numbers of arrivals and a lack of asylum seeker (see section III) and following the staff members from the Greek authorities. How- procedure foreseen regarding reception and ever, since the quarantine began, new arrivals identification procedures of newly arriving asy- weren’t automatically registered by RIS but are lum seeker.33 instead placed in Lefkonia and have their asy- b. Quarantine Procedures in Lefkonia lum claims only registered after the quarantine and after they are transferred to Vial. The interviewees' stories of placement into quarantine differed. If asylum seekers are found a. Responsible Authority for Lefkonia in the wilderness on their way to Vial, they are From the start, it has been challenging for Equal taken straight to Lefkonia.34 Those asylum seek- Rights to confirm the authority responsible for ers who make it to Vial have stated that they are implementing and overseeing the quarantine given food and water by those working at the on Chios. RIS—the authority responsible for camp and are then transferred to the quarantine overseeing the reception and accommodation by police. of asylum seekers—has denied any responsibil- According to seven interviewees, RIS collects in- ity for quarantine, claiming that the police are itial information from new arrivals including the competent authority. According to RIS, the name and country of origin – at times, it has also police are the responsible authority for the included age and parents’ names. RIS has stated quarantine, 31 and RIS staff in Lefkonia simply that the information is gathered only to clarify collect certain personal identifying information the date of entry into Greek territory.35 Notably, Letter from Chios RIC Director, July 2021 and Letter from Chios RIC Director, June 2022. JMD Δ1α/ΓΠ.οϊκ.23983 /2022, Extraordinary measures to protect public health from the risk of further spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, 1 May 2022, Art. 1 para 6, Annex II, available at: https://bit.ly/3K7mEEn. 33 Art. 38(1) Law 4939/2022. 34 However, several interviewees stated that other persons who arrived with them on their boat disappeared and were never seen in the quarantine or Vial. 35 Letter from Chios RIC Director, June 2022 31 32 ‘Quarantine of Asylum Seeker’ – A legal classification of the quarantine practice on Chios