This time it's for real: Greece to lift entry restrictions for travelers starting May 1
After much speculation, Greece has confirmed it will be lifting its entry restrictions this weekend, just in time for warmer weather.
The rule changes mean that as of May 1, travelers will be able to visit the popular holiday destination without needing to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recovery certificate. However, indoor mask-wearing is set to remain in place until June 1.
Additional measures due to change include increasing capacity to 100% for certain venues and reducing the need for unvaccinated workers to take regular COVID-19 rapid tests to just once per week — with the exception of those that work in health care or with the elderly.
The news follows growing confusion after Greek health minister Thanos Plevris announced that the country would be able “to proceed with the suspension of the protection measures put in place from May 1” earlier this month.
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“[We’re] not ignoring the pandemic, but we are entering a new regularity by lifting the restrictions, although we will be ready for the autumn and another vaccination rollout,” he said, adding that restrictions would likely be reinstated in September.
Officials later clarified that this was a misunderstanding and backtracked, echoing a similar situation earlier this month when Spanish authorities wrongly announced restrictions would be dropped for unvaccinated travelers.
Related: US State Department prioritizing urgent travel: Here's how and when to renew your passport
“There has been a misunderstanding on this and it has been falsely reproduced,” a Marketing Greece source said at the time. “As of May 1, no proof of vaccination or recovery will be required to enter any indoor and outdoor venues."
“Based on the information that we currently have, it will still be required to show vaccination or recovery certificate to enter the country.”
But the Greek government now appears to be behind lifting restrictions, with Marketing Greece telling TPG UK, "The Committee of Health Experts had a session earlier today and they suggested lifting entry restrictions to the country. The suggestion was adopted by the government and an official announcement was made at 6 p.m. this afternoon [Athens time]."
The spokesperson added, "Therefore, as of May 1, it will no longer be required to show vaccination/recovery certificates to enter the country. Indoor mask-wearing would remain until June 1."
Prior to May 1, fully jabbed Americans older than 5 can only enter Greece freely by presenting valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
The unvaccinated must show a negative PCR test taken within the 72-hour period before arrival.
Additional reporting by Jordan Waller.
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Cons
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- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
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- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees