Greece to Allow Cruise Ships from Turkish Ports, Indoor Hotel Pools to Operate

Greece’s committee of Covid-19 experts have given their approval for the country to allow the arrival of cruise ships from Turkey, the operation of indoor swimming pools in hotels and of conferences in closed spaces, said Tourism Minister Vasilis Kikilias on Thursday.

Speaking to SKAI radio, Kikilias said the committee was open to allowing cruise ships embarking from or passing through the Turkish ports of Kusadasi and Galata. The two ports, experts said, meet European health protocols and requirements. 

They also said indoor pools could reopen at hotels as long as health protocols approved by the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association (SEGAS) for all swimming pools are implemented.

Conferences only for the vaccinated

The tourism minister went on to add that the epidemiologists also recommended allowing conferences to be held indoors at an 80 percent capacity with special seating arrangements and only for vaccinated or recovered participants who abide by these guidelines. 

Kikilias told SKAI reporters that he had tabled to the Covid-19 committee issues affecting the tourism industry in order to facilitate operations ahead of the autumn-winter season. Relevant decisions, he said, would be published in the Government Gazette in the coming days.

Greece was moving full speed ahead in efforts to promote Greece as a winter and spring destination and to keep tourists coming. 

In this direction, Kikilias said the tourism ministry would be launching two new campaigns while negotiations are ongoing for an early opening to tourists in the spring.

“We will also support alternative forms of tourism and you will see measurable results,” he said. “This year there will be tourism in April and May.”