Greece’s Tourism Minister said that this year the tourism season will be much shorter than usually and revealed that tourists arriving and leaving the country will need a so-called “coronavirus health passport.”
Greece’s tourism season will be restricted to a three-month period, Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said on Tuesday in an interview with Skai TV.
Speaking to Skai TV, Theoharis said that July, August and September will have to make up for time lost.
He did not rule out the possibility of extending the tourism season to October and even November, provided that developments related to the coronavirus are good.
The big wager for tourism this year will be the safe entry and exit of tourists into and out of Greece and for this reason a “health passport” is being promoted.
This is a method of “safe entry” into the country, he said.
Theoharis stated that consultations are underway in the European Union so that every European citizen who wants to travel undergoes a reliable test for coronavirus.
He estimated that tourism is expected to fall by 50% and added that Greece does not expect any tourists from countries outside Europe.
He stressed that Greece retains the asset of being a safe country in the Mediterranean, which is a very positive element in the light of the new situation.
The Greek government hopes to start gradually lifting the lockdown restrictions as of May 4, 2020. The process is expected to be concluded by end of June.
Due to coronavirus, Greece has banned non-European nationals from entering the country and flights to/from six European countries. the bans are currently valid until mid-May.
Those traveling in the country are obliged to 14-day “house isolation”, whether they are Greek or foreign nationals. Violating the law is fined with 5,000 euros.
Hi,
Thank you for the information. Do you think would Greek Authorities allow EU citizens with Non_Eu flagged boats?
Regards
sorry. no idea.
Health passports are a pie in the sky idea.
The covid19 incubation period is between 5 and 14 days, during which time a person can show no symptoms whatsoever.
Face it. The 2020 tourist season ain’t happening.
Agree with Andrew. Tests are showing false negatives in 30% of cases where people are already symptomatic so there is not much chance of getting a reliable result from tourists who are in the incubation period showing no symptoms at all.
THis is not correct. The full laboratory tests are 90% accurate, and are done twice with an effective accuracy rate of 99%. It is only the cheap quick tests that are unreliable.
Does anyone know just what would be specifically required in a “health passport”?
not yet.
Definitely some type of “fee”…
Is the thought that the ban on non-European nationals will be extended beyond the tourism season? I currently have itinerary for a trip to Greece in August and was planning on going so long as cases subside in the coming months.
no idea.
Hey Johnny … Covid-19 infections in Greece are among the lowest in Europe … the percentage chance of catching this infection is around .005% per million residents …
If tourists go to Greece for a 2 weeks holiday, how can they stay in for 14 days ? this seems an odd idea , surely no tourists will go if this is the case , I have holiday home there and was going in May but my ferry has been cancelled , so not sure if they will put ferries on in June, I also will be coming from Spain , so not sure how this will work
Had the same thought but was not fast enough. Did you get any answer?
Hi we face the same problem we are in Spain and hope to go to our boat in Greece
Hopefully by ferry from Barcelona
Karen … all the travel restrictions will be reversed starting soon, but slowly to make sure there isn’t a reversal in the infections rates … be patient and I think you will find all we be restored … unfortunately, May might be a little too fast for most of them to be eliminated … from what I’m reading locally I think August would be a more likely prediction, but it is only a guess … good luck!
There won’t be any facility to provide tests for non essential travel in the next few months. This is just wishful thinking by the Greek government.
Whilst we all would like to see a resumption of tourism to Greece, our small island of Zakynthos is,currently, free of any confirmed cases of Covid-19. We would like to keep it that way until we are 100% sure that non-residents are not going to threaten that status. It’s a tough call for an island that depends on tourism for the bulk of its revenue but it really is a case of ‘safety first’.
Let’s just hope there is a brighter future by the late summer.
I have a 2 week trip booked that we were hopeful to still be able to take. We were to arrive in Greece from North Carolina on June 5th – 15th. Based on what I am reading, should we be cancelling and rescheduling the trip to Sept. if possible? Will tourists from North Carolina be allowed to enter the country in June? There is so much conflicting information on line. Our airline said that we were going and even upgraded our seats with us. Please let me know what to do….we saved forever for this trip and I wanted it to be special. Thanks!
sorry, we are just media, neither gov’t officials nor travel agents. We assume, airlines know better. BTW check in our “search box for “non-EU nationals”. Also check with your hotel if it will be open.