Greece is getting ready to once again welcome the world following the coronavirus pandemic.
Starting on June 15, the country will be welcoming travellers from the following 29 countries (with rules and protocols): Albania, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, and Finland.
Greek officials on Saturday said that the country will not limit arriving airline passengers next month to people coming from 29 countries. Rather, travellers that have departed from places that aren't on the initial list, are going to be subject to mandatory testing for the coronavirus upon arrival. This will then determine whether they are required to quarantine for a period of one or two weeks.
The two-tiered policy, which revised information the Greek government issued on Friday, will be applied during June 15-30, although officials left open the possibility of maintaining entry restrictions after the end of June.
The Foreign Ministry document also explains that until June 15, a limited number of international flights will be allowed to land at Athens International Airport. As is required by European Union Policy, each passenger that arrives must be tested for the virus and stay overnight at a designated hotel until results return. Visitors who are not arriving from the approved list of 29 countries, and test negative, are required to self-quarantine for 7 days, while those who test positive must spend 14 days under a supervised quarantine.
Greece is taking steps to welcome more visitors in time for the summer vacation season. Starting June 15, international flights also can land in Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city. Those from the 29 designated countries, will be subject to random tests.
Timeline
May 31- June 15: Limited number of international flights will be allowed to land at Athens International Airport. Each passenger will be tested.
June 15-30: International flights can also land in Thessaloniki. Those from designated countries will be randomly tested. Passengers from all other countries will receive mandatory testing and be subject to one or two weeks quarantine.
July 1: All Greek airports that can handle international traffic will reopen to flights from abroad. International arrivals by sea will also be allowed from neighbouring Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia (Turkey currently exempt). Random screening for the virus will apply to all arriving passengers unless public health considerations dictate stricter testing.