Greece intends to admit tourists from May 14 this year, on the basis of a vaccination certificate, proof of antibodies or a negative COVID-19 test, according to tourism minister Haris Theoharis, speaking to the ITB Berlin 2021 forum from the Acropolis museum in Athens on Tuesday, March 9, as reported by various European media.
Until then there will be a gradual lifting of restrictions “if conditions allow”.
Greece has led calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate to help unlock tourism, which normally accounts for around 20% of the Greek economy. The EU commission’s vp Margaritis Schinas, said he believed the digital pass would be ready by the summer.
“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021. Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”
He said the hospitality sector would be prioritised for vaccination once the most vulnerable were vaccinated.
The Greek government says its target for 2021 is to get to 50% of the 31,3m million people per year who visited the country before COVID.
