Greece formally opens to tourists

Greece formally opened to visitors on Saturday, kicking off a summer season it hopes will resurrect its vital tourism industry battered by the coronavirus pandemic. After months of lockdown restrictions, Greece also opened its museums and famed archaeological sites, including the ancient Acropolis, this week.

“I feel really alive and good because it has been such a hard and long year because of COVID,” said Victoria Sanchez, a 22-year-old student on holiday from the Czech Republic. “I feel again alive,” she said, as she strolled near the Roman Agora in downtown Athens.

As of Saturday,

foreign tourists will be allowed in Greece if they have been vaccinated or can show negative COVID-19 test results.

Travel between regions, including to the islands, will also be allowed for those with negative tests or vaccinations.

“I’m finally here,” said Rebecca, a tourist in Athens from Florida, who declined to give her last name.

“I’ve been waiting two years – two years with the COVID.”

Greece has been rolling out vaccines to its islands and hopes to vaccinate most of them by the end of June. The government says vaccines and rapid testing, as well as warmer weather allowing outdoor activities mean visitors can travel safely.