Greek Tourism Minister: Airports on all the islands open on 1 July

Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis presented details on the gradual opening of the borders. He said, "We are now in a position to talk more specifically about the reopening of the country to tourism, which many are waiting for as it is obviously a major part of our economy." He also spoke about the "bridge to normality which has been planned."

The Minister said that the plan is as follows:

Arrivals by air (between June 15-30)

Athens International Airport
- The travel ban on flights from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands will be lifted.
- Only essential travel from from Albania and Northern Macedonia will be allowed.
- The travel ban on flights from the United Kingdom and Turkey will be maintained (regardless of the EASA affected area list).

Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”
From June 15, all flights are allowed except those from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, Turkey, Albania, Northern Macedonia.

Arrivals by sea (between June 15-30)
- Ships from abroad are prohibited from entering Greek ports.
- Pleasure boats (leisure or professional) are allowed in Greek ports but only with crew on board.

Arrivals by road (between June 15-30)
- Greece’s land borders with Turkey, Albania and Northern Macedonia will remain closed (except for absolutely necessary business travel).
- Greece’s border with Bulgaria will be open.
 

Travel to Greece as of July 1

International arrivals by air
- All airports in Greece will be accepting flights from abroad.
- Coordination of the European Commission’s proposal for the list of non-EU countries for which restrictions will continue to exist.

International arrivals by road
- Restrictions of arrivals from Albania and Northern Macedonia will be lifted.
- Restrictions from Turkey will be reviewed by June 30. Announcements will be made.

International arrivals by sea
- All ships coming from abroad are allowed in Greek ports.

Points of entry:

All airports will open on 1 July without exception.

There will be 7 points of entry by road - Kakavia, Kristalopigi, Evzoni, Promahonas, Nymphea, Kastanies and Kipi.

Points of entry for cruise ships are Piraeus, Corfu, Heraklion, Volos, Katakolos and Rhodes. For international ferry services there are the ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa.

Preventive measures against Covid-19

Between June 15-30

- Arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki from airports not on the EASA affected area list will be subject to sample testing as these are airports in relatively safe areas. Travellers that are tested will be recommended to self-isolate in a hotel of choice until the test results are issued. If travellers test positive, they will be moved to a quarantine hotel and under supervision for 14 days.

- All arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and all airports on the EASA affected area list, will be tested. An overnight stay at a hotel of choice is required. If travellers test positive, they will be moved to a quarantine hotel and under supervision for 14 days (also applies for arrivals from Albania and Northern Macedonia).

From July 1

- All travellers to Greece (from all countries) will complete upon arrival (or before boarding their flight) a special electronic form PLF (Passenger load factor) and provide their contact details in Greece. The PLF form will be available online and also via mobile app.
- Inbound travellers to Greece will undergo sample tests.
- Travellers that test positive will be moved to a quarantine hotel and be under supervision for 14 days.

Mr. Theoharis said that the list will be completed in the next few days. "We are proceeding carefully without compromising either safety or the reopening of tourism."

"We are opening the borders to travellers but it is, of course, obvious that coronavirus hasn't gone away. We are proceeding with a plan and our first priority is safety for residents and visitors alike," the Government spokesman Stelios Petsas underlined.

Source: AMNA