Greek Tourism Minister Says Social Distancing Key to Safe Holidays

Photo: GTP

Visiting smaller islands, staying at boutique hotels and exploring mountain destinations are some of the few options Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recommends visitors do in Greece once travel is allowed and tourists set off for their holidays this year as coronavirus (Covid-19) measures are gradually lifted.

Speaking on the BBC’s The Coronavirus Newscast podcast this week, Theoharis underlined the importance of sticking to Covid-19 safety guidelines, including social distancing and hygiene, as well as to measures that will allow travel.

We have done everything possible in close cooperation with health experts and epidemiologists to ensure that Greece is safe, and our success is reflected in the low infection and death rates, said Theoharis, adding that social distancing is here to stay for both Greeks and visitors.

The main aim is to retain the core of the travel experience to Greece and at the same time ensure that travelers, hosts and employees in tourism are safe, he said.

Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis

Theoharis expressed his support of re-opening to tourism, noting that most people need to go on holidays and said he respects actions and measures taken by other countries to safeguard the health of their citizens.

However, he went on to add that the time has come to ease and eventually completely lift Covid-19 restrictions, removing as many obstacles to travel as possible and encouraging other countries to do the same. Theoharis said these actions would be reciprocated and to the benefit of both sides.

If Greece does not request quarantine restrictions for British travelers, then “we would welcome” the same on the UK’s part for Greek travelers, he said.

It should be noted that the UK is one of Greece’s top three source markets for tourism.