City
Epaper

Greece reopens islands to visitors

By IANS | Updated: May 25, 2020 13:10 IST

A domestic ban on travelling to Greek islands was lifted on Monday, as the country sought to reboot its ...

Open in App

A domestic ban on travelling to Greek islands was lifted on Monday, as the country sought to reboot its struggling tourist industry after weeks of the coronavirus lockdown.

Ferries have resumed to islands that have been off limits since the Greek government imposed restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 in March, reports the BBC.

Greece has been praised for its handling of the pandemic, recording 171 coronavirus-related deaths and 2,878 confirmed cases.

Last week, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the country would open up to international tourism from June 15, earlier than originally planned.

He said most flights to Greece would resume by July 1, when seasonal hotels will reopen and a two-week quarantine for foreigners will no longer be in force.

But tourists from countries with high infection rates won't initially be allowed to visit.

Greece's tourism industry is vital to the country's economy, accounting for about a quarter of the country's GDP.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: bbcKyriakos MitsotakisAustralia broadcasting corporationBbc radioBroadcasting corporation
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalIt’s a Pleasure To Be in India: Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis Makes First State Visit in 15 Years (Watch)

InternationalTom Cruise 'working diligently' on his planned space movie

CricketCLOSE-IN: West Indies cricket - How the cookie crumbles (IANS column)

InternationalUK parliamentary panel report warns of national security threats from China; calls govt’s approach “inadequate”

InternationalCops to probe ex-BBC British Sikh presenter for harassing over 20 women

International Realted Stories

International"We call on Iran to provide for safety, security of IAEA personnel": US Secretary of State Rubio

International"Deserves contempt": MEA rejects Pakistan Army's claim over attack in Waziristan

InternationalPakistan: Karachi faces risk of urban flooding due to rains

InternationalAfghan returnees arrive with 'empty hands, uncertain future

InternationalTrump warns of fresh strikes on Iran, slams Khamenei over 'victory' claims in recent war with Israel