Greece, which is heavily dependent on tourism, wants to open up to holidaymakers again from May 14, 2021. This was announced by the responsible minister Harry Theoharis during the ITB Now online trade fair. He also stressed that vacationers played no significant role in the domestic pandemic.

This point is interesting because, for example, the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (both ÖVP) claimed before Christmas that the vast majority of new infections were brought in by people returning from vacation. The statements were not based on any scientific data and were also discriminatory due to the fact that the Balkan region and Turkey were explicitly mentioned.

Greece carried out random PCR tests in the previous year. These took place at the airports and depending on the country of origin you were asked to smear or not. The costs were borne by the Greek state. The result was sent by SMS. Incidentally, the QR code on the electronic PLF form was scanned by the test station.

Theoharis also said during ITB Now that the goal is for the borders to open to foreign holidaymakers on May 14, 2021. He added that the government will monitor the situation at home and abroad and will not take any hasty steps “that could jeopardize our previous successes”. Nevertheless, the goal of the Greek Minister of Tourism remains that the existing restrictions are lifted by May 14, 2021.

Free path for vaccinated people - everyone else needs a test certificate

First of all, tourists from the European Union and Israel will be welcomed. A contract has already been concluded with the latter state that allows vaccinated people to travel without quarantine. In the next step, guests from the United Kingdom and the USA should be allowed to enter again. In this context Harry Theoharis referred to the high progress in vaccination in the two countries mentioned, which are important source markets for Greek tourism.

According to the Greek Minister of Tourism, the “Green Pass” (“Privilegienpass”) initiated by the Austrian Chancellor will play a key role within the European Union. People who can demonstrate vaccination or recovery should be exempt from restrictions. All others must present a negative PCR test, which may not be more than three days old, according to the current planning status. It has not yet been decided whether Greece will offer the option of testing at airports or whether antigen tests will possibly be recognized. However, since rapid tests are being pushed at EU level and Greece is heavily dependent on tourism, this could still be simplified.