New Rules for Guided Tours in Greece post-Covid-19

Tourist guides in Greece have been informed on new rules to follow when giving guided tours at archaeological sites and museums in Greece during the post-coronavirus period.

The rules are aimed at their safety from infections and for the health protection of tourists in their groups, individual visitors and staff at archaeological sites and museums in Greece.

The country’s archaeological sites, closed for almost two months as part of the Covid-19 restrictions, are scheduled to reopen to the public on Monday, May 18. Museums are expected to open on June 15.

New rules

– Tourist guides, at all times, must follow any instructions given by the staff of archaeological sites and museums and are obliged to wear face masks throughout guided tours.

– In case of group tours of more than four people, tourist guides must accompany the guests/members of the group upon their entrance in an archaeological site or museum, inform them of the protection measures, make sure they comply and generally be responsible for them while guiding them and until their exit.

– Tourist guides must accompany their groups of visitors at all times.

– In case an organized group is not accompanied by a tourist guide, visitors must enter the premises in pairs, except for children, and must comply with all the measures as followed by individual visitors.

– The maximum number of visitors allowed in archaeological sites and museums (depending on their size) must be strictly followed.

– Mandatory use of audio tourist guide equipment (wireless microphone transmitters and receivers, better known as “whispers”) on behalf of tourist guides and their groups.

Recommendations

It is strongly recommended:

– For all (tourist guides, visitors, staff) to maintain the appropriate distances from one another, of at least 1.5 meters outdoors and 2 meters indoors.

– For all tourist guides to wear face masks, frequently use alcohol-based hand antiseptics and avoid touching cash registers and counters.

– For leaders of tourist group to make certain of a controlled flow of guests to the restrooms in collaboration with on site guard.

– For all to prefer e-tickets, where possible.

– For tourist guides to schedule appointments for visitors with special needs, where possible.

All rules are being constantly evaluated by the Greek government and health advisors. They will be updated in accordance to the course of the pandemic.

According to the general rules for the safe operation of archaeological sites and museums in Greece, a restricted number of visitors will be allowed to enter each archaeological site and museum (depending on its size) and will be required to keep a safe distance of 1.5 meters from one another. Site and museum staff will be present to regulate the entry-exit flow of visitors and organized tourist groups. All visitors are advised to wear face masks and have an alcohol-based hand antiseptic with them.