Greece holidays: Athens breaks ranks with EU to welcome British tourists from May | Politics | News

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Greek Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said the country hopes to welcome foreign tourists from May 14, depending on the status of the coronavirus pandemic. In order to stimulate British vacationers, the southern European country will ignore the demands of the EU Commission for a uniform vacation strategy for the block.

During a virtual appearance at the ITB Berlin travel fair, Theoharis stated: “We are approaching the exit of this dark tunnel thanks to the power of the human mind and the advancement of science.

“Please let me emphasize that no picture can better depict the return to normal tourism than the Greek smile, the Greek landscape, the Greek hospitality.

“We in Greece are more than optimistic about 2021.

“We are ready, we are ready to share the experience of being delivered from the unpleasant memories of the pandemic with each and every one of our guests.”

Greece vacations for vaccinated British tourists will be allowed from May (Image: GETTY)

Greece said hospitality workers will be given priority over vaccines to make vacation easier (Image: GETTY)

Visitors must have been vaccinated, recently had a negative Covid-19 test, or had coronavirus antibodies, he said.

A “pilot” reopening of the borders is expected to take place early next month, he added.

People living in England could take foreign vacations from May 17, according to Boris Johnson’s roadmap to ease coronavirus restrictions.

The government’s Global Travel Taskforce will present a report to the Prime Minister on April 12th setting out recommendations on how and when to resume leisure travel overseas.

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Greece is one of the most popular summer destinations for British vacationers.

British nationals typically make more than three million visits a year, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The decision followed the decision of EU colleague Cyprus, who also announced last week that vaccinated British tourists would be able to enter the country from May 1st.

International travel from the UK is currently banned until May 17th.

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Greece has separated from the EU in terms of a uniform holiday approach (Image: GETTY)

Exceptions are travel to work when absolutely necessary, travel home from a job abroad or for those moving to another country, i.e. for work purposes or if they are an international student.

Medical appointments and care responsibilities also allow you to travel, although each country has its own policies and self-isolating requirements.

Cruise holidays can also take place from May.

Secretary of the Sea, Robert Courts, told the all-party Maritime and Group (APPMPG) that cruises in the UK can be operated on the latest cruise news from May 17th.

Summer Vacation: Where You May Need a Covid Pass to Travel (Image: EXPRESS)

The government said the government was working to get domestic travel back on track.

Crossings from English ports can resume from May 17th, which is urgently needed by the cruise industry.

The minister noted that the cruise lines have gone to great lengths to ensure that passengers and crew are safe with strict cleaning and covid testing measures on board.

Some cruise lines even require vacationers to be vaccinated in order to sail.

However, the exact measures that cruisers can expect have yet to be confirmed, the courts said.

A spokesman for the Department of Transportation said after the announcement: “The restart of domestic cruises in England will be aligned with the broader resumption of domestic tourism and indoor hospitality.

“As stated in the Prime Minister’s roadmap, the earliest possible date for this step is May 17th.

“We are determined to restart cruises when it is safe to do so and are working closely with the industry to prepare for a safe and successful restart.”