The Greek government has welcomed the framework of guidelines and recommendations on tourism and transport presented by the European Commission on Wednesday, however, it stressed that Greece will unveil its own comprehensive plan for tourism in the next few days.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said in a statement that the goal was “a gradual restoration, based on common rules and standards, of transport and tourism throughout the European Union.”
He added that it had not been self-evident that the EU would arrive at a common European framework and Greece had been first to raise the issue of tourism in Europe.
Hailing the cooperation between member states and the Commission’s recommendations and guidelines, Petsas added that “the European Commission has created a special web-page where European citizens and all interested parties can be informed about the epidemiological status of each country reliably and with transparency.”
It appears that “Greece , thanks to its swift and efficient response to the coronavirus pandemic, is one of the countries with the lowest spread of the virus per 100,000 residents. And this is – yet another – factor for attracting tourists to our country,” he added.
He noted that the framework unveiled by the Commission on Wednesday helps instill confidence that transport will be safe in the unprecedented situation created by the pandemic.
“Even in this unprecedented situation, Greece is ready. In the next few days the government’s overall plan for restarting tourism will be unveiled, guided by the need to protect public health and support employment. We should not delude ourselves, however. This summer will not be like the last one,” the government spokesman stressed.
Thursday morning, Petsas said that Greece will announced the protocols for air, maritime and road traveling on Friday, May 15.
Media report that the Greek plan on tourism will be announced beginning of next week.
The comprehensive plan includes health and travel protocols, labor issues and financial support to sector’s businesses with revenues decreases as well as bilateral agreements with other countries.
