Greece Reorganizes Ahead Of Reopening To International Tourists
After more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greece is preparing to reopen its borders to international visitors on May 15. This means the country is making plans ahead of the rest of the European Union. Greece is excited to welcome people back and has started reorganizing how its beaches will operate. It is also planning on reopening its museums, theaters and open-air cinemas later this month with new rules in place.
New rules in place for visitors to Greece
As part of the country’s social distancing measures, beaches with organized tourism activities are introducing new rules. Among these, sun loungers and beach umbrellas must be placed at least 13 feet (4 meters) apart and must be disinfected between each use. Employees at beach bars and other resort staff are required to wear masks and must undergo regular COVID-19 testing.
Beach bars will be prohibited from playing music in an effort to prevent patrons raising their voices to be heard, as this could facilitate more virus particles spreading through the air. The ban on music also applies to bars, restaurants and cafés that have already been reopened.
Greece drops quarantine requirements
The new health and safety measures are being put in place after Greece has dropped quarantine requirements for tourists from more than 30 countries, including the UK and the US. This applies as long as visitors have tested negative for the coronavirus no more than 72 hours prior to travel. Alternatively, quarantine is dropped if visitors can prove they have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
As noted by the New York Times, while Greece is ready to welcome US visitors, it should be borne in mind that the State Department has recently added the country to its long list of countries with the designation “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” However, officials in Greece maintain that with the testing and social distancing measures, tourism is safe for residents and visitors alike.
While Greece has dropped quarantine requirements, visitors from the UK will still have to quarantine on return home. This is due to the fact that Greece is currently not on the UK’s new “green list” for quarantine-free travel and remains at “amber.”
Tourism is vital to Greece
Welcoming travelers back to Greece is important, as its tourism sector accounts for around one fifth of the country’s economy. Germany is the biggest market for tourism in Greece, followed closely by the UK.
While visitors will be welcome from May 15, travelers should note that it is still necessary to follow local public health guidelines, even if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have tested negative for the virus. This applies to the wearing of face coverings and the practice of social distancing.
Greece as a tourist destination
This popular European country is known for its gorgeous beaches, beautiful islands and its fascinating historical sites, including those found in Athens and other parts of Greece. The country is also known for its unique culture that can be experienced in its music, food, theater and other cultural attractions.
It is also known as a great foodie destination. Traditionally, Greeks are known for growing their own food and the country has a seasonable and sustainable diet to share with its visitors. In fact, Greece has been promoting its locally-sourced ingredients for many centuries, thanks to the tradition of growing fresh vegetables, harvesting olives for oil and making full use of every type of seasonal produce available. Over the past decade, Greece has also increased its organic food production by 51 percent. These days, Greece is a world leader for its organic markets and sustainable food.
Greece is more than happy to welcome international travelers from May 15 and it is likely that many international visitors are already packing their bags.
Share your thoughts in the comments section below, on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Photos credit: Deposit Photos