Greece to scrap Covid rules in time for the summer holidays

Greece Covid rules including face masks and Covid vaccine passes are due to be scrapped in time for the summer holidays

Brits heading on Greece holidays this summer won’t face Covid rules such as face masks and vaccine passes, as the holiday hotspot is set to scrap its restrictions.

The country’s Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris, has confirmed that from May the country will be ending local rules.

From May 1, you’ll no longer be required to show proof of vaccination to enter venues such as restaurants and bars, while from June 1 face masks will no longer be mandatory indoors.

As for Greece’s entry rules for holidaymakers? An official statement from the Ministry of Health has said that these will be reviewed in May including “the removal of the demonstration of the European certificate for entry into the country”.

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Authorities have said that all Covid measures will be reviewed in September, dependent on the Covid situation at the time.

Under Greece’s existing travel rules, all UK tourists can visit, but the rules differ depending on your vaccination status.

Fully vaccinated Brits don’t need a pre-travel Covid test, but those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will need proof of a negative result. This can be either a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or an antigen test within 48 hours.

Those who are unvaccinated but can show proof of recent recovery from Covid will also be able to enter.

Meanwhile it’s worth noting that in Greece and the islands, poof of vaccination is required to enter venues including shops, restaurants, museums and cinemas.

Greece has been a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers for decades – and it’s set to remain popular for 2022. Some of the classic holiday spots tend to be the Greek Islands, not to mention there are heaps of family-friendly holidays in Greece to be found.

It’s not the only holiday hotspot to be easing its rules.

In recent months a host of countries have scrapped Covid travel rules entirely including Mexico and Iceland, while holiday hotspots such as France, Portugal and Spain continue to welcome holidaymakers, easing rules such as pre-travel forms or Covid tests for fully vaccinated travellers.

Earlier this month Cyprus announced it would be relaxing travel rules for Brits, including axing its pre-travel ‘flight pass’, and removing on-arrival Covid tests for unvaccinated travellers.

The country has also removed a mandatory requirement to wear face masks in outdoor spaces, although these are still mandatory indoors. The UK Foreign Office warns: “The use of a face mask is compulsory in all indoor public spaces for everyone aged 6 and above. Failure to comply with restrictions may result in a €300 fine.”

Of course for UK travellers, there’s no long heaps of Covid admin required when returning home, with the UK’s own travel rules having ended, meaning no passenger locator forms or other entry rules when you come back from your trip abroad.

• Travel restrictions can change quickly due to the nature of the pandemic. Always check the Foreign Office’s latest Greece travel advice before booking and going on a trip.

Are you booking a holiday abroad this summer, or do Covid rules put you off? Let us know in the comments below.