Greece announced on Friday that it will open to visitors from 29 worldwide countries – on the same day plans emerged in Bulgaria to lift a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from 26 European states.
From 15 June, Greek border patrols will welcome visitors from Albania, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea and Switzerland.
Before that – as early as Monday – Greece's northerly neighbor Bulgaria is set to drop the quarantine requirement for those arriving from Andorra, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Vatican City.
Bulgaria, with a population of around seven million, has suffered 136 deaths and 2,485 cases. Greece, with just under 11 million people, has had 175 deaths and 2,906 cases. Bulgaria wants to restore trade and boost tourism to its Black Sea resorts, while tourism is even more crucial to Greece – one of Europe's top summer destinations, with 33 million visitors last year generating more than $21 billion in revenue.
The Greek tourism ministry warned that visitors will be randomly tested and that the country list would be updated before the end of June as the government monitors developments in COVID-19 levels.
Greece has picked its preliminary list of countries from around the world, including several Asian countries that were among the first to suffer COVID-19 outbreaks, such as China, Japan and South Korea. Their relative success in eliminating the disease – like that of Australia and New Zealand in restricting its spread – means their citizens are welcome in Greece.
Bulgaria had last week lifted its own ban on citizens from other EU countries, but mandated a two-week quarantine. Now Bulgaria's chief health inspector, Angel Kunchev, has said the anti-virus task force recommends dropping that quarantine from 1 June – but with notable exceptions.
Visitors to Bulgaria from the seven European Union countries with the highest number of COVID-19 patients – Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland and Malta plus the UK, which is transitioning out of the EU – will still be required to quarantine under the new plan, which is yet to be approved by the health minister.
Friday's developments leave potential holidaymakers from Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK doubly thwarted in their destinations – unless they're happy to spend a fortnight in Bulgarian quarantine.
Author: Gary Parkinson
CGTN See the difference
30-May-202, 01:33 am
Greek PM says arrivals to undergo coronavirus tests rather than be quarantined.
* A taverna in Karpathos, Greece. Photograph: Constantinos Iliopoulos/Alamy
Greece has revved up the engines of its tourism industry, announcing that holidaymakers will be able to return to its beaches within weeks.
In an address to the nation, the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said 15 June was the official start date of a tourist season delayed by the global coronavirus pandemic and that direct international fights to the country’s tourist destinations would resume gradually from 1 July.
Holidaymakers from Bulgaria, Serbia, the UK and other countries would not be quarantined but would have to undergo coronavirus tests, the centre-right leader said in an attempt to allay fears of the virus being brought in from abroad.
In a speech highlighting the significance of the tourism sector for the Greek economy, Mitsotakis said: “Sample tests will be conducted on our visitors, and our general health protocols will be adhered to, without them … overshadowing our bright sun or the natural beauties of Greece.”
Previously the prime minister had said that “in the best-case scenario”, Greece would be accepting all tourists from 1 July, but – seeking to capitalise on the country’s unexpectedly successful handling of the pandemic – he announced seasonal hotels could open from 15 June.
The first foreign tourists are expected to enter the country by car from neighbouring Balkan states that have also recorded low infection and mortality rates.
The risk for travellers is considered high. It is recommended that travellers avoid nonessential travel to areas with local transmission of COVID-19.
There is no vaccine against this novel corona virus. If you are travelling to areas with local transmission of COVID-19 you should:
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or a disinfectant, especially after coughing or sneezing, before handling and consuming food.
Avoid contact with patients who appear ill with respiratory symptoms.
If you notice any symptoms related to COVID-19 while you are in Greece, please call the National Public Health Organization at 1135.
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The Greek government is proceeding with gradually lifting the measures taken to halt the spread of Covid-19 throughout Greece and guiding the country to its normal state while getting ready to welcome you back.
The government announced its two-month plan in reopening Greece’s market in several stages. Greece’s return to normalcy took place started from May 4 with the opening of some shops and services, such as bookstores, electronic stores and hair salons. More shops and services opened on May 11, continued to open on May 18 and then again on June 1.
The government’s plan will rely on monitoring developments of the gradual return to normalcy on a 24 hours basis. The government requested to respect social distancing between shop owners and customers; to limit the number of customers per footage when indoors; and to mandatorily use a mask in public transport, taxis, hospitals; and when visiting public services and shops.
From June 1st and for the period of a month, stages 4 to 7 will be implemented. These stages will start lifting one by one the lockdown restrictions and reopen the market in the following order: shopping malls, outdoor restaurants, cafes, summer cinemas, year-round hotels, amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor playgrounds, indoor restaurants, indoor cafes, seasonal hotels and resorts, and indoor sports facilities.
In the coming days the government is expected to announce further guidelines for restaurants, leisure facilities, hotels, beauty salons, swimming pools and beaches.
In addition, it was announced that large gatherings, such as festivals, concerts or sporting events with spectators, will most likely not be allowed during the summer months.
Till all restrictions are lifted
Previous restrictions will still apply during Greece’s gradual return to normalcy and lifting each one will be carefully examined and announced to the public. For the time being all transport links with non EU countries as well as Spain, Italy, Germany and Holland are still suspended till further notice.
Seasonal hotels and resorts, as well as year- round Hotels in Greece will remain temporarily closed until June. Till all restrictions are lifted one hotel per regional capital will remain open as well as three hotels in Greece’s two largest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki.
The 14-day quarantine is still imposed to any new arrival, until 1st of June. The ban on all cruise ships and sailboats docking at Greece’s ports still applies. Furthermore, departure and docking of private and professional yachts is prohibited at all ports of the country.
The port of Kavala played a major role in the evolution and the development of the city from ancient times until now. It was built by the Thasians at the end of the 7th century B.C.and kept open the way to Aegean and the coast of Asia Minor. Through here, the Apostle Paul arrived in Kavala and started to spread christianity throughout Europe.
In the 16th century export trading of local agricultural products (wheat, cotton, etc.) begins to flourish. Apart from that though, the port also plays a major role as a centre for fishing and tobacco.
Starting in 1920 and completed in 1950 some works on the port take place, as well as the creation of the new coast of Kavala.
The port today
The land area of the harbour is the focal point for recreational, commercial, business and tourist activity. Since October 2002 the port is not used commercially. Instead, the “Filippos B” port in N. Karvali is used for that reason.
Today, the central port of Kavala serves:
1. The fishing fleet
2. Tourism
3. The passengers from and to Thassos, Limnos, Mitilini and Samothrace
4. Water Sports
Over the last years the port of Kavala is changing, making considerable efforts to serve as the main gateway to the Balkans in the Mediterranena.
Port Authority of Kavala:
Tel: 2510 – 223716
For more information visit: www.portkavala.gr