Greece has lifted its restrictions on mobility and is

the first European country to open its doors to tourism this year.

Foreigners will be able to enter from today without the need to quarantine, as was required before.

The vaccinated and the unvaccinated can enter, but the latter will have to present a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours maximum.

It is

one of the main competitive tourist markets in Spain.

As in our country, its visitors are mainly German and British.

Greece has been preparing to receive them for months: they announced the opening date (May 14) and they have vaccinated the entire population of dozens of islands, thus selling the concept of "covid free" islands, immunized.

In an interview with EL MUNDO, the Greek Tourism Minister, Harris Theoharis, explained

the country's strategy for this summer, which involves immunizing all the islands

, the most touristy at least.

It has already done so with the population of the smallest, they hope to conclude this process at the end of May in the medium ones, and at the end of June in those that exceed 100,000 inhabitants.

In addition, most of the tourism sector has been vaccinated.

It must be remembered that

tourism in Greece is mostly insular.

20% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depends on this sector.

Diplomacy

On the diplomatic level, Greece has also moved fast.

It

was the driving country for the digital green passport

, also called the "Covid passport", within the EU.

This digital document will facilitate mobility within Europe and will allow to know if the tourist is vaccinated or not, if they have had a PCR test done or if they have antibodies.

Athens thus opens to tourism before this certificate, scheduled for June, is launched in the EU.

In addition, they will allow the entry of visitors from third countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States, something that the EU does not recommend at the moment.

Greece is not, like Spain, in the list of safe countries of the United Kingdom,

which means that the British who travel to the country will have to quarantine upon return.

Vaccinated tourists will not have to present PCR, and it will be mandatory for those who are not.

The test will also not be necessary for people who can show they have antibodies.

For boat trips (between islands) the PCR test or a rapid test carried out 24 hours before is also necessary.

From today the prohibition to move between regions disappears and museums and commerce are also reopening without limitations.

In 2020, Greece received 7.4 million tourists, despite the pandemic.

It is 78% less than in 2019. The current cumulative incidence is still high: almost 270 to 14 days and 162 to 7 days per 100,000 inhabitants.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Greece

  • Coronavirus

  • Spain

  • THE WORLD

  • GDP

  • Europe

  • Covid 19

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