After being shut to international travellers for more than a year, the government of Greece announced a phased reopening of the country. Now the country has reopened to several overseas tourists, which includes travellers from the United States.
Greece decided to go ahead of most of its European counterparts and decided to restart tourism. But those travelling to Greece or planning a trip to the country must know that the country’s hospitals are full with COVID-19 patients, and more than three-quarters of the country’s population still remains unvaccinated.
Travelling to Greece in such a crucial phase is still a huge bet but as the country’s economy largely relies on tourism, it was imperative for the government to kickstart the tourism sector. The officials believe that with social distancing, COVID protocols and the warm weather, tourism in the country will be safe.
Though Greece is ready to welcome tourists from the US, the US State Department recently added Greece to its list of “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” countries.
Greece’s Tourism Minister, Harry Theoharis, said in an interview, “We welcome a common position. All we’re saying is that this has to be forthcoming now. We cannot wait until June.”
Requirements to travel to Greece
On April 19, Greece started welcoming tourists from the European Union, Thailand, Australia, Israel, South Korea, the UK, the USA, Rwanda, Singapore, New Zealand, Serbia, and the UAE. Tourists coming from these countries do not have to quarantine if they meet following criteria:
1) Fully vaccinated tourists are allowed without a negative COVID-19 PCR test (at least 14 days prior to arrival do not need to quarantine).
2) Unvaccinated travellers will have to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Kids, aged five and under, are exempt.
Tourists can enter through nine airports – Athens, Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Santorini, Kos, Chania and Mykonos.
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, they will immediately be transported to a quarantine hotel, paid for by the Greek government.