Mount Athos reopens its gates to pilgrims and employees

Mount Athos opened its gates on Monday for the first time after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, to both pilgrims and employees, following special permits.

Visitors numbers, however, will be limited to 15 people per monastery.

Boat company Agioritikes Grammes told AMNA that the ticket offices for boats in Ouranoupoli and Dafni also opened on Monday. Several boats sail to the community, including high-speed boats and a ferry transporting fuel and main supplies.

Cruise ships will begin sailing around Mt. Athos on June 15 and will run on 50% capacity.

Mount Athos first shut its doors to visitors on March 19. 

Four monks of Xenophontos Monastery on Mount Athos in April tested positive for coronavirus, after returning from the UK.