Greece’s government has accomplished its goal to reopen its doors to travellers from many countries worldwide by mid-May, as promised, in order to help the country’s tourism sector recover from the financial loss that it has suffered due to the Coronavirus situation.
At present, citizens coming from European Union and Schengen Area, as well as those from the United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, are permitted to enter the Hellenic Republic, restriction-free, if they have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 or present a negative result of COVID-19 PCR test taken at least 72 hours before travellings.
In addition, Greece’s government has started to welcome travellers from countries that recently have reported low infection rates of the Coronavirus disease, such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Rwanda, Singapore and Thailand. However, they will have to prove that they have tested negative for the virus or present a vaccination certificate upon their arrival.
Greece has also reopened its borders for visitors from America after they remained closed for more than a year. The US’ travellers will be subject to the exact same requirements as citizens from the countries mentioned above when planning to head to Greece.
In addition, all tourists will be required to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), 24 hours before travelling.
Earlier this month, the country’s Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis promised that Greece’s tourism sector “will open on May 14, and it will open safely, despite the danger,” amid the third wave of the virus.
Passengers will also have to undergo random rapid tests. If the test result is positive, they will be temporarily accommodated in a hotel in order to follow quarantine rules.
Authorities in Greece also announced that the country’s international airports would be permitted to accept flights from abroad from mid-May onwards. In addition, United Airlines will resume their summer service to Athens from Newark International Airport of New Jersey from June 3. It will also resume flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Athens on July 1. Direct or connecting flights are currently being offered by other carriers to Athens, from the United States, Air France, Delta, Swiss, and Lufthansa.
In April, the Tourism Minister presented the country’s action four-points plan, which seeks to help the travel and tourism sector recover from the crisis provoked by the Coronavirus.
Theoharis has continuously insisted on opening its borders to third-country citizens by also taking into account the risk from the COVID-19 and its new strains.
Last month, Greece’s Development and Investment Minister Adonis Georgiadis stressed that the Hellenic Republic would be on time for the tourist season. His comments came after confirming that the country has sped up vaccinations for workers engaged in specific sectors, including tourism.
