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Greece has lifted quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers and those testing negative for Covid-19 from key tourism markets, including Europe, the UK and the United States, in what officials called “baby steps” on the road back to normality.
But while qualifying visitors will be able to check into hotels to enjoy Greek sunshine and beaches, they’ll be subject to the same restrictions as locals, meaning restaurants and bars will remain off limits, except for takeaways.
The move marks the first time the country has been open to American visitors since March 2020 when Greece entered its first lockdown at the onset of the pandemic.
It also makes Greece one of the first major European destinations to reopen to tourists ahead of the summer season – a development that could see it steal a significant chunk of holiday traffic away from rival hotspots.
Under the new rules, arrivals from the EU, UK, United States, Israel, Serbia and the UAE who have been vaccinated or have a negative PCR test up to 72 hours prior to arrival can enter.
Officials said targeted rapid checks will be carried out at entry points and quarantine hotels are ready to accommodate those who test positive during this process. Safety protocols including wearing masks and social distancing will remain in place.
Greece’s Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis told CNN that the country “is taking these baby steps, the start of a gradual opening process that will lead to a full opening of tourism in Greece on May 14. During the weeks ahead we will be making adjustments.”
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The party island of Mykonos, pictured here in May 2020, took in less than a third of its usual tourism revenue last year.
In addition to Athens and the east coast city of Thessaloniki, direct international flights are now allowed in some of Greece’s most popular vacation destinations in Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu.
The tourism sector accounts for more than 20% of the country’s GDP and an estimated 25% of the Greek workforce – more than a million jobs.
With its economy so dependent on the sector, and only gradually recovering from a near decade-long financial crisis, Athens has been vigorously campaigning for the introduction of vaccine passports to encourage EU-wide travel. It has also been in talks with non-EU countries to try to establish travel corridors.
Israeli visitors testing negative or with vaccination certificates have been exempt from a one-week quarantine since early April, but officials say other ongoing restrictions plus a recent surge in Greek cases has discouraged all but a few.
Monday’s opening-up announcement was welcomed on the popular party island of Mykonos. Mayor Konstantinos Koukas has said revenues in the Covid-hit 2020 season were just 30% of the previous year.
Iraklis Zissimopoulos, CEO of the Semeli Hospitality Group, which includes hotels, bars and restaurants on the island, described the lifting of the quarantine restrictions as a symbolic move.
“It sends the message that Greece is sticking to its promise to fully open in May and as such it is welcome,” he said. “We know it is going to be a slow start.”
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Pidima Tis Grias: Greece is full of must-visit spots. This spectacular beach is located on Andros, a luscious island near Athens. According to legend, Pidima Tis Grias is named for an old woman who betrayed a nearby town to Saracen pirates, jumped off a cliff to her death and was turned into a vertical, isolated rock.
Suzanne Plunkett
Naxos Portara: Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, combines Caribbean-looking sugar-sand beaches and a stunning mountain, perfect for hikers. Looking like a gateway to another universe, the Portara is the scene of a mythical betrayal.
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Sarakiniko: The volcanic island of Milos is known for its natural geothermal heat and multi-colored beaches -- none more impressive than Sarakiniko, an all-white limestone spot.
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Santorini volcano walk: Crescent-shaped Santorini faces a submerged crater on the west side, while on the east it has boundless stretches of black sand. Visitors can hike the two slopes and see the still active volcanic islands inside the crater.
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Mycenae: This spectacular setting of the Homeric epics became one of the first excavated sites in Greece when archeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered several grave mounds here in the 1870s.
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Karpathos: Karpathos is one of the Aegean's most mysterious islands -- home to ancient underground chambers and shrines.
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Ios: Ios is a sun-drenched island and its capital Chora is home to iconic windmills, pictured.
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Fresh seafood: Greek seafood is fresh and delicious. Many fish tavernas in the smaller islands or coastal villages have their own fishing boats and serve the catch of the day.
Courtesy John Malathronas
Skopelos: ABBA fans might recognize the church of Agios Ioannis at Kastri -- it featured in the finale of "Mamma Mia." With the sequel to this movie musical out in 2018, there's never been a better time to visit the iconic island.
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Mykonos, Little Venice: Little Venice in Mykonos has beautiful houses built all the way to the wave line. It's a spectacular place to watch the sunset over the water.
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Pyrgos the marble village: The island of Tinos sits on marble quarries -- its inland village of Pyrgos has no fewer than three museums devoted to marble.
Courtesy John Malathronas
Nafplio Bourdji castle: Nafplio is defended by not just one but three separate forts -- no wonder that Nafplio became the first capital of modern Greece.
John Malathronas
Pottery: The island of Rhodes has been known for its ceramics since antiquity. Local crafts remain a key part of the island's culture, known for their bright colored designs and patterns.
Courtesy Thessaloniki Tourism Organization
Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki was the second most important city in the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires after Constantinople. The famous White Tower on the promenade, pictured here, was built by Suleiman the Magnificent and served as a notorious jail until the 19th century.
Courtesy John Malathronas
Agios Dimitrios: Most cities in Greece have their own saint. In Thessaloniki, it's St Dimitrios -- a Roman commander said to be martyred around 305AD. The modern church stands above an earlier one -- which was built on the alleged spot of his martyrdom.
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Melissani Lake: The stunning turquoise lake of Melissani is on the Ionian island of Kefallonia -- and can be found below ground, in a secluded, tranquil cave.
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Shipwreck beach, Zakynthos island, Zante: In 1980, the ship MV Panayiotis was washed up on this beautiful beach. This mysterious shipwreck and golden sands make this beach one of the Greece's most photographed spots.
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Meteora: These awe-inspiring six Eastern Orthodox monasteries are built vertically on the rock towers of Meteora. They're another must-visit sunset spot.
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Monemvasia: The fortified town of Monemvasia is home to streets remained unchanged since the Middle Ages -- perfect for strolling.
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Mystras: Mystras is an atmospheric, medieval ghost town on the eastern slopes of Mount Taygetus, just outside Sparta.
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Chania: The Greek town of Chania is one of the country's most beautiful, thanks to its 14th century Venetian harbor, picturesque streets and picturesque views over the water.
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Street Art: The recent economic downturn in Greece has lead to more abandoned buildings -- which have been taken over by graffiti artists, creating a booming Athens art scene.
Courtesy John Malathronas
Traditional diples: These Greek traditional sweets are simple and delicious. The diples shown here originate from the town of Kalamata in the Peloponnese and are traditionally served at Christmas time.
Courtesy Region of Crete
The palace of Knossos, Crete: The palace of Knossos has been associated with the legends of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, and the flight of Daedalus and Icarus. There are remarkable frescos adorning the walls -- making this a must-visit for art and history fans.
Courtesy John Malathronas
Litochoro, the gateway to Mt Olympus: The small village of Litochoro is nestled at the bottom of Mount Olympus, it's one of the most magnificent settings in Greece.
Courtesy Region of Central Macedonia
The Golden Wreath of Vergina: At the Unesco Heritage site of Vergina, you can admire four royal Macedonian tombs-- including one belonging to Alexander the Great's father. The adjoining museum contains many artifacts from the tombs -- don't miss this stunning golden oak wreath.
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Island Of Paros, Greece: The island of Paros can be busy during summer, but the views, such as this one of the Harbour Of Parikia, are spectacular. Fighting the crowds is more than worth it.
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Vikos gorge, Zagoria: The Pindus mountains on Epirus are one of Europe's last wildernesses -- hiking on the Vikos gorge, pictured, is an unforgettable experience.
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Ouzo: Ouzo is a Greek aniseed-flavored alcoholic drink, traditionally drunk in narrow glasses and best accompanied by small mezedhes, a Greek version of Spanish tapas.
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Changing of the guard: Athens old Royal Palace is guarded by the Evzoni guards, who dress in in their traditional red caps with long black tufts, pleated kilts and tsarouchi shoes. Visitors can wach the impressive Changing of the Guard.
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Acropolis: Greece's most iconic monument is a sacred rock devoted to the Goddess Athena, protector of Athens. It's a symbol of Greek Antiquity and one of the country's most impressive spots.
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Delphi: One of Greece's most spectacular archeological sites, Delphi is the site of the famed oracle of antiquity and the Ancient Greek center of the world.
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Samaria gorge, Samaria national park, Crete: The gorge of Samaria crosses Crete north to south for 10 miles -- trekkers can enjoy majestic panoramas.
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Corfu: Greenery meets blue seas and skies on this gorgeous Greek island -- known for its mountainscapes, beaches and olive trees.
Courtesy Municipality of Drama
Drama: Greece may conjure up an image of sunshine, but it does snow here too -- especially in the mountainous north, which is home to several ski resorts close to the city of Drama, pictured here.
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Rhodes, Lindos: The closed bay of Lindos is one of the safest beaches on the island of Rhodes. You won't forget those stunning views in a while.
Even with Greece’s vaccination program progressing at a modest pace – currently under 10% of the population have received one dose – more restrictions are expected to be lifted in the weeks leading to May 14.
As of next month, once the most vulnerable groups have been vaccinated, those working in tourism are expected to be next.
But dozens of Greece’s smaller islands, with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, are now Covid-free with the entire population having received both jabs. The vaccination program is now expanding to bigger islands.
It’s hoped that securing the islands will allow Greece to offer specific Covid-free zones.
“If all the locals are vaccinated in Mykonos, an island of about 10,000 then we will have a protective shield,” says Zissimopoulos, who is also a cardiologist.
What is certain is that the appetite for travel is there.
Earlier this month an experiment devised by travel industry experts saw nearly 200 Dutch participants fly to the island of Rhodes, trading lockdown back home for a week of voluntary confinement in a beach resort.
They were not allowed to leave the resort during their stay and agreed to quarantine for up to 10 days upon returning home.
The “safe holidays” test run attracted applications from more than 25,000 people in under 24 hours, according to Martine Langerak, spokesperson for the tour operator Sunweb, which organized the trip under the auspices of the Dutch government.
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Roxane Seewoester: "We hope they will be able to come and celebrate their special moment with their loved ones."
“We were surprised by the demand. It shows how much people want to go on holiday,” Langerak told CNN.
Despite Greece’s resolve to open its borders, some countries like the UK still have restrictions in place preventing international travel, and Greece’s recent rise in infections mean quarantine rules may apply to holidaymakers when they head home.
Travel industry experts in Greece agree that it will be a slow start with bookings starting to only pick up toward July. This means hundreds of thousands who work in tourism and related industries will have to wait to find out if, and when, they have a job this summer.
Roxane Seewoester, a 25-year-old wedding planner at Golden Apple Weddings in Rhodes, a destination that normally receives over two million tourists annually, says the majority of tourist weddings were canceled last year.
This summer they are again gradually being pushed back.
“We work a lot with people from the United States and Australia,” she says. “It’s a long way to travel. People need months to plan. We hope they will be able to come and celebrate their special moment with their loved ones and that we will all be able to get on with our lives.”