Greece Tightens Coronavirus Restrictions for EU Tourists

ATHENS, KOMPAS.com – Starting August 17, Greece’s coronavirus restrictions will be imposed on incoming tourists and will require proof of a negative Covid-19 test result for visitors coming from some EU countries.

Tourists traveling to the Mediterranean country from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic will need evidence they tested negative for the novel virus to gain entry.

Mandatory test results cannot be older than 72 hours prior to entry. The information was shared by the Greek government on Monday.

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Greece has tightened border controls after a recent spike in Covid-19 infections in the country.

On Sunday, there were 2013 Covid-19 cases in Greece which was the highest daily tally of coronavirus infections since the start of the outbreak.

The EU country has a total number of 5,623 Covid-19 cases since the first infection surfaced in late February.

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The government said the same requirement will apply to all visitors entering Greece via its land borders, including Greek citizens returning home.

The government also moved to suspend public gatherings, including shows and concerts, where audiences are not seated.

Prompted by recent epidemiological data that showed an uptrend in Covid-19 infections, it has also said restaurants and bars in Crete, Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, and the islands of Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Antiparos, Zakynthos and Kos cannot operate from midnight to 7am.

(Writer: George Georgiopoulos | Editor: Kirsten Donovan)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-greece/greece-to-require-negative-coronavirus-test-for-entry-from-sweden-spain-belgium-idUSKCN2561T0