Most of our travel plans had been pushed due to the global pandemic. And while the year 2020 was the worst year for tourism, many countries are hoping to reopen their doors for tourists. If you have been waiting for that European holiday, here’s a great piece of news for you. Greece is reopening its doors to visitors on 14 May. The country’s tourism minister announced the much-awaited date for the tourist season to officially begin. However, the country will reopen with a five-step plan.
Greece Is Reopening With A 5-Step Plan
Greece has launched five lines of defense strategy to combat the spread of COVID-19 after reopening borders to tourists. The rules are as follows:
- All tourists need to show a COVID-19 test result or must have received full vaccination.
- Greece’s airports and borders will have checking systems. The personnel will select passengers randomly to conduct a rapid test.
- Tourists testing positive for coronavirus will be quarantined in an isolation hotel.
- All tourists must strictly follow COVID-related safety guidelines, wear face masks and maintain social distancing.
- Everyone linked with the tourism industry needs to be vaccinated. The most vulnerable Greek citizens will get priority.
Greece Will Allow Travellers With COVID Vaccination, Antibodies & COVID Negative Test Report
And while a lot of countries are welcoming only vaccinated travellers, Greece will allow tourists who had the vaccination, had antibodies, or had tested negative for coronavirus. So, in a nutshell, a COVID negative test report is all you need to travel to Greece. The country aims to open to tourists by May 14 of course with specific rules and protocols in place. As Greece slowly lifts the restrictions, Athens is in a race against the clock to kickstart its holiday travel vital for the nation’s economy. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Launches AED 1 Ticket Deal For Greece.
The Move Is Critical To Boost Greece’s Economy
One out of five Greeks works in the tourism sector. Since tourism had completely taken a backseat last year, the Greek government is aiming to attract at least 50% of the 31.3 million people who visited prior to the virus. Greece would begin inoculating employees in the tourism sector once elderly and vulnerable people had been vaccinated. In terms of managing the pandemic, the country has fared better than its European counterparts. The Greek government has said it expects the country’s vaccination programme to accelerate dramatically in April.
Also read: Greece Hotels Reduce Resort Prices To ₹940 Per Night
While this is easily the best news for the wanderlust souls, let us not forget that travelling is still a slippery slope and we must take the necessary precautions at all times.