Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the Government of Greece has announced that it will start letting in visitors into the country this summer, as Greece has always been a country that has welcomed tourists for the last 50 years, and wouldn’t let that tradition stop because of the pandemic.
Greek tourism minister, Harry Theocharis, announcing the news said travelers will be welcome to visit Greece this summer but social distancing rules will be enforced to keep people safe from coronavirus.
His announcement comes after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday restrictions on citizens’ movements would be lifted and more shops allowed to reopen from May 4 in a gradual easing of a lockdown imposed to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
As at Wednesday morning, April 29, Greece has 2,566 confirmed cases of the virus, with 577 recovered, and 138 deaths.
“We do want people to come to Greece,” he told BBC Radio.
“Of course we will take precautions in terms of the requirements before travelling but also in terms of the way that we travel, the way that we stay. Social distancing rules will apply.”
”We have welcomed tourists for more than 50 years and we want to continue showing the hospitality that we’re very much known for.”
“Greece is a safe country and in many cases much safer — I’m sorry to say it — than your own country,” he told the BBC, Britain’s public broadcaster.
Theocharis added that he hopes “health technology” will be more advanced to aid safer health practises by the time the summer season starts to allow travels have more safety traveling amidst the pandemic
“It is very likely that we will have some requirements before travelling,” he said, referring to the suggestion that travelers might need to undergo a coronavirus test before being allowed in to Greece.
