Greece to Soon Announce post-Covid-19 Health Protocols, Tourism Minister Tells Bloomberg

Health regulations to be implemented at hotels and tourism-related facilities across Greece in efforts to welcome travelers in the aftermath of the Covid-19 health crisis, are set to be announced in the upcoming period, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis told Bloomberg on Tuesday.

Theoharis said the ministry was taking actions so that travelers will be able to visit Greece once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted ensuring however safety for both visitors and hosts. In this direction, Theoharis said the ministry was in constant contact with health authorities and experts to come up with the most effective method of testing that will respect traveler rights while safeguarding local communities.

Ideally, Theoharis said these precautionary health measures should be decided on a Europe-wide level.

“We hope that the European Commission will demonstrate the necessary leadership capacity to expedite the talks and agreements. But even if this does not happen, we are willing to establish our own rules and, of course, try to reach agreements with source countries,” the Greek minister said.

A key priority for travel and life in post-coronavirus times, according to Theoharis is maintaining social distances and avoiding crowding while retaining a friendly and hospitable environment that Greece is known for.

Speaking last week to BBC News, Theoharis referred to Greece’s immediate actions and strict measures taken in order to contain the spread of the deadly virus achieving to be among the few countries in the world with low infections and death rates.

Once again, the minister said that planning is underway to get hotels up and running in July but admitted that it was a “complex exercise”.

Theoharis was quick to point out that a very important part of reviving the Greek tourism sector has to do with getting planes back into the air which hinges on EU decisions with regard to air travel between member states.