After confusion, Greece says it will lift all Covid travel restrictions from Sunday

After some confusion on the matter, Greece has confirmed it will lift Covid entry restrictions for all visitors from this Sunday.

This means that travelers no longer have to present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result upon entry.

The country’s committee of health experts suggested the government scrap entry requirements during a meeting on Thursday, according to officials from Marketing Greece and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).

A government statement issued last night, it reads: “At today’s meeting, the Ministry of Health’s Expert Committee unanimously recommended:

• Suspension of the Covid passport from May 1st and return of capacity to 100 pieces
• Suspension of the EUDCC certificate at the entry gates of the countries

“The Commission’s proposal is accepted by the government and the details will be clarified via the new joint ministerial decision [be] problematic.”

From Sunday, unvaccinated visitors will be allowed into the country without pre-travel tests – a measure Greece had maintained for many months.

However, Health Secretary Thanos Plevris said yesterday that rules on wearing masks indoors may remain in place for longer.

When asked on TV when masks could become optional, he said: “We don’t know. It is possible that the indoor mask wearing measure will not be lifted as the mask is a lenient measure.

“What we are proposing is that indoor masks continue in May and then decisions are made for June based on the epidemiological picture in the country.”

Earlier this month, Mr Plevris had announced on television that Covid cases in the country had fallen far enough to “proceed with the suspension of the protective measures put in place from 1 May”.

Many took it to mean any remaining Covid measures, but in the weeks that followed, tourism officials clarified that mask-wearing (in indoor public spaces) would remain until at least June.

However, earlier this week tourism officials said no official announcement had been made regarding the easing of entry requirements for holidaymakers, suggesting the current rules are likely to remain in place into May.

Now tourism organizations have confirmed the easing of border rules from May 1, although ministers are calling it a “suspension” for the summer rather than a definitive end to the rules.

Mr Plevris says mandatory mask restrictions will be reviewed before June, while relaxed rules will generally be reviewed just before September.

Currently, travelers are required to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, including public transport and taxis.

Fully vaccinated people traveling to Greece today or tomorrow before the May 1st rule change will still need to have a Covid certificate ready to show at the border.

Those who are not fully vaccinated must have a negative PCR result from a test performed within 72 hours of arrival. Valid proof of recovery from Covid-19 within the last 180 days will also be accepted.

Those using a vaccination certificate to enter the country must ensure their second vaccination is ‘current’ – in line with much of the EU, Greece considers the second dose expired after nine months, at which point travelers must have a booster shot have received recognized as fully vaccinated.

There is currently no expiration date for boosters.