Greece Reopens to Tourists as Most Lockdown Restrictions are Lifted

Greece has officially commenced its tourist season by lifting the majority of lockdown measures.

"We are welcoming the world back to our tourism sector," announced Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis on Thursday at the Temple of Poseidon near Athens. According to the BBC, visitors from Germany have already started arriving. Tourists from countries on the EU's "green list" can now travel to Greece, alongside those from the United States, Serbia, Israel, and the UAE, provided they are vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test result.

Greek officials stated they are "moving beyond the lockdown" thanks to the success of their vaccination campaign. Museums have reopened, and retail shops can operate without appointment requirements, although capacity limits will be enforced to maintain social distancing.

Authorities report that Greece ranks fourth among EU nations in vaccination rates per 100 residents and expect that everyone on the major tourist islands will be fully vaccinated by the end of June.

Although some restrictions are still in effect, the government has eased numerous measures that were put in place during the lockdown. For instance, residents are no longer required to text a hotline when leaving their homes or shopping, interregional travel is now permitted, and the late-night curfew has been adjusted to 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Greece has taken bold steps in its reopening strategy, launching an extensive promotional campaign to mark the return of international visitors. The tourism sector is vital to the country's economy, employing nearly a fifth of its workforce.

Tourists arriving in Greece must do so via one of the following airports: Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini, or Corfu. Moreover, travelers can also enter through two land borders.

Visitors from these specified countries will not be required to quarantine if they can provide evidence of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival. All tourists must comply with any remaining restrictions in Greece, including the late-night curfew.

"The entire country is safe," stated Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis in parliament last April, detailing the sunny European nation’s plans for reopening.

The strategy for reopening to all travelers features a "five lines of defense" approach. These lines consist of:

• All travelers must either be fully vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test result;
• A verification system at Greece's airports and borders, where passengers may be randomly selected for rapid testing;
• Any visitor who tests positive for the virus will be placed in a "quarantine hotel";
• All personnel in the tourism sector must be vaccinated (they will be prioritized once the most vulnerable Greek citizens are vaccinated); and
• Strict adherence to safety measures, including social distancing.

What implications does this have for U.S. citizens wishing to return to Athens or visit one of the Greek Isles such as Santorini or Mykonos? Although Greece is reopening to tourists, the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Embassy in Greece indicate that American travelers should still refrain from visiting the country.

Greece may play a crucial role in the recovery plans of European airlines. The revival of tourism is expected to boost the number of flights entering the country. Already, low-cost carrier Ryanair has added additional flights from the U.K. to the Greek Isles. British Airways is contemplating re-routing some of its larger aircraft, such as Boeing 787s and 777s, which are currently idle at Heathrow Airport, for shorter flights to the Mediterranean. Additionally, Emirates has restarted its nonstop route from New York (JFK) to Athens (ATH) as part of this effort.

Reviving tourism is vital for Greece's economic stability. Many cities and towns in this southeastern European country depend on tourist spending, and the repercussions of the year-long pandemic have severely impacted numerous local businesses.

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