Greece has announced that it will soon waive quarantine requirements for visitors from more than 30 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, provided they test negative for COVID-19 or prove that they are fully vaccinated against the disease. It is also planned to gradually lift the restrictions, if conditions allow.
From 19 April, travelers from all over the European Union and five other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, will no longer have to endure quarantine upon arrival in Greece if they can show that they have been fully vaccinated. against the COVID-19 vaccine or give a negative result of a test performed no more than 72 hours before the trip.
The reception of visitors is important for the country, as its tourism sector accounts for about one-fifth of the Greek economy. It has a population of 11 million, and Germany is its largest visitor market, followed by the United Kingdom.
Under current law, all visitors arriving in Greece must pass a negative test and then quarantine for seven days. Local blocking rules have been in place in Greece since November, when the country entered the second wave of the pandemic. However, last month, Tourism Minister Harris Teoharis said that after vaccinating the elderly and vulnerable, she would start vaccinating those working in the tourism sector as it intensified efforts to bring visitors back.
Travelers should be advised to follow local health guidelines, even if they have received a negative test or have been vaccinated against COVID-19.