Greece to scrap several COVID-19 travel restrictions from May 1

In a bid to promote tourism, Greece has announced to remove all major COVID-19 restrictions from May 1. So from next month, travellers wanting to visit Greece will not need to carry their vaccination proof, COVID-19 negative test report or proof of recovery.

With this move, Greece has become the latest country determined to go back to pre-pandemic life. Apparently the nation had reopened its borders to travellers back in May 2021 but there were myriad protocols such as proof of vaccination, booster shot proof, recovery proof and show negative PCR report not older than 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of their arrival. The rules were applicable to everyone older than 5 years of age.

Minister of Health Thanos Plevris has also decided to do away with the mask mandate (with some exceptions) in June.

The minister said, “According to the epidemiological data and the suggestions of the experts, we are announcing the roadmap for the de-escalation of the measures against the Covid-19 pandemic. All measures will be reviewed on September 1, depending on the picture of the pandemic.”

Greece has also stopped the passenger locator form and has joined other European nations which are relaxing all COVID-19 restrictions. Recently, the Netherlands and France also removed pre-arrival testing for vaccinated visitors and Switzerland is also all set to remove its entry restrictions from May 2.