Greece and Cyprus will reopen their borders to foreign tourists in May.
Foreign tourists who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, have recovered from the disease, or who test negative prior to their arrival will be allowed into Greece from May 14, Tourism Minister Harris Theocracis announced on Tuesday.
The government hopes that the epidemiological situation will allow for restrictive measures throughout the nation to be progressively eased before then.
The government will test its approach from April with a pilot program with travelers from the European Union “as well as other nations of departure where the vaccination has progressed, such as Israel.
“I emphasize, however, that all opening dates and indicative and may change, depending on developments,” Theocracis stressed.
A nighttime curfew is currently in vigour throughout Greece. Other measures depend on the area’s epidemiological situation however include the closure of non-essential shops, a ban on journeys between different parts of the nation, and limits on public gatherings.
The announcement from Athens came a day after Cyprus announced that it will allow vaccinated Britons to visit the island from May 1.
Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios instructed the Cyprus News Agency that only people who had received their second dose of the vaccine at least seven days before traveling would be allowed in.
“It is a very important development for tourism and follows of the arrangement with Israel, as (the 2 nations) they are two of Cyprus’ main tourist markets,” Perdios mentioned.
Tourists will still comply with native measures including wearing a mask and social distancing and authorities mentioned they reserve the right to carry out tests on passengers, including vaccinated individuals.
Tourists from EU member states have been allowed into Cyprus since March 1 based on the color-coded classification system from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Travelers from “orange” and “red” nations have to undergo a PCR test prior to and upon arrival and submit to quarantine till the results come in.
No member state is classed as “green” in the latest ECDC overview which requires a 14-day incidence rate of below 25 cases per 100,000 population and a test positivity test under 4 percent.
