In a bid to restart Greece’s tourism, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece would be ready to accept foreign tourists as of July 1, 2020.
“If things go according to our plans, we will open on July 1, under a protocol that will make sense both to those who want to travel and to our tourism industry,” Mitsotakis said Thursday during a teleconference organised by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
“We want a greater slice from a much smaller pie – the European pie. The European tourism pie is smaller, but this summer we want a bigger piece,” he stressed.
While it is not clear if Greece will restrict its border reopening to to EU nationals only, the Prime Minister acknowledged Greece’s efficiency in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
Mitsotakis added that Greece was two weeks ahead of most European countries in decisive action to fight the coming Covid-19 pandemic
“The better you do in managing the health crisis, the faster the economy will revive,” he underlined.
State minister George Gerapetritis elaborated on the issue on Friday, assuring that Greece has been given a 45 day period to strengthen the health system in tourist destinations.
“Greece is advertised as a completely healthy destination, as a health safety destination” and on this scheme and for the next 45 days the government will build a very serious public health system on the islands, he told state broadcaster ERT TV.
He stressed that “as of July 1 we will be able to receive foreign visitors under conditions that ensure the public health.”
“We will impose on our visitors the necessary protocols, which will be a balanced mix of public health, but without, on the other hand, to there are disproportionate obstacles to our tourism product.”
