Greece lifts COVID restrictions for summer travellers

Greece mentioned that pandemic restrictions similar to mask-wearing indoors and COVID certificates will probably be lifted all through the summer tourism interval and authorities will contemplate reinstating them in September. Coronavirus infections in Greece have eased in current weeks, with authorities recording 15,000 infections and 64 deaths on April 12. Out of a inhabitants of 11 million, some 72% are absolutely vaccinated.

Greece’s important summer tourism season usually begins after the Orthodox Easter, which this yr falls on April 24. Greece is anticipating excessive numbers of holiday makers this yr, with officers predicting revenues reaching 80% of 2019 ranges, a document yr earlier than the pandemic introduced journey to a halt.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris mentioned the choice to ease restrictions was “based on the epidemiological data and suggestions from experts.”

From May 1 to August 31, the general public will not must current coronavirus vaccination or sickness certificates to enter indoor or open areas similar to eating places, and authorities are additionally contemplating lifting the requirement of presenting an EU digital COVID certificates to enter the nation. In addition, carrying masks indoors will not be obligatory as of June 1 and college students will return to class after the Easter break with no need to repeatedly current unfavorable self-tests. Plevris mentioned all measures will probably be re-evaluated in September.

Greece, one of the vital in style summer tourism locations in southern Europe, attracted greater than 33 million guests in 2019, most of them from Britain and Germany. The trade accounts for a few fifth of the financial system and employs one in 5 folks.