Greece ‘s Tourism Minister, Haris Theoharis clarified the terms according to which foreign nationals will fly to the country as of June 15, 2020. Greek authorities focus on the departure airports and not the nationality of the travelers, he said on Sunday.
list refers only to countries or to nationalities as well.
Speaking to state-run news agency amna, Theoharis said that Greece is focusing on airport origins in allowing only flights from approved countries to land as of June 15, regardless of a passenger’s nationality.
Random testing will be conducted to passengers arriving from airports considering as safe, the minister said.
On Friday, Greece announced a list of 29 countries considered as “safe.” These countries are:
Albania, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Finland.
Passengers departing from countries with negative epidemiological data, as listed on European Air Safety Agency (EASA) are obliged to be tested on COVID-19 once they land in Greece and remain at a designated hotel for one day, until the test results are out.
“If the test turns out negative, these visitors will then be obliged to observe a 7-day quarantine. If their sample is positive, they will remain in a 14-day quarantine and their health will be monitored,” he said.
As of June 15, flights from abroad will be allowed to land only in the Athens and Thessaloniki International Airports.
Starting on July 1, flights from abroad will be allowed to flight to the islands and other destinations on the mainland.
“Greece is opening its doors in a planned way, safely, and following the agreement of doctors at all times,” the minister said. “We are moving within the medical framework and applying scientists’ directives by the book, fully agreeing with international directives to protect every tourist’s and Greek citizen’s health,” Theoharis stressed speaking to amna.
Greek authorities will expand the list of “safe” countries sometime in June, adding more countries depending on the epidemiological data. The updated list is to be implemented as of July 1.
Dear Staff,
Please keep me informed of any changes in Greece travel concerning the coronavirus
Thank you, P.. Derrick
It seems unfair to exclude flights from Scotland to Athens including it with Virus statistics of England. Scotland statistic are not excessive compared to Greece and travel is not allowed between England and Scotlsnd which would ensure travellers to Athens from Scotland would have to be residents of Scotland.
I have been Self Isolating like all Scots for 11 weeks and have purchased and paid for 6 flights to athens since March and each flight has been cancelled. My effort has been to visit my house in Athens which I’ve had for 14 years and feel I have been predjujidged by included in UK statistics quite unfairly.
I live in Vancouver, Canada, I have self-isolated for 12.3 weeks, I want to come to Athens, enjoy Greece culture, and help Greece tourism. I’ve booked 5-6 flights that needed to be cancelled…… I’m willing to self-isolate upon arrival in Greece, for 2 weeks!