Greece to lift quarantine rule for more inbound visitors, including Thailand, from Monday

[webfact]

FILE PHOTO: View of the town of Halki, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, on the island of Halki, Greece, April 13, 2021. REUTERS/Vassilis Triandafyllou/File Photo

 

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece will lift quarantine restrictions on coronavirus-free visitors from more countries including Australia and Russia from Monday as it extends exemptions ahead of formally opening up to tourists on May 15, the transport ministry said on Sunday.

 

The change, which came as Greece crossed the threshold of 10,000 deaths from COVID-19, follows a move this month to lift restrictions on visitors from EU countries, the United States and Britain, among other countries.

 

Visitors from these countries are allowed into Greece without spending a week in quarantine as long as they are vaccinated or test negative for the coronavirus.

 

As well as Australia and Russia, Greece will lift restrictions on visitors from New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda and Singapore, the ministry said in a statement. Visitors from Serbia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will also be exempt from the quarantine requirement from Monday.

 

Greece, which emerged from the first wave of the pandemic last year in much better shape than many other countries in Europe, has been hit badly in recent months, with rising numbers of patients putting hospitals under severe strain in many areas.

 

However, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said last week the pandemic was showing signs of stabilising and he confirmed plans for a May 15 opening of the vital tourism sector, which accounts for a fifth of economic output.

 

Despite a stuttering start to vaccinations in the European Union, the Greek government says it is better placed this summer than last year thanks to widespread testing, quarantine hotels and vaccination drives on small islands and among tourism workers.

 

Authorities reported 1,400 new cases and 57 deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday. The pandemic has now caused a total of 333,129 infections in Greece and 10,007 deaths.

 

(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Susan Fenton)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-04-26

 

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[RichardColeman]

Lunacy - Greece's current 7 day average is 70 odd dead a day and over 2500 infections a day. Opening in May is going to cause a huge explosions. Greece may have vaccinated near 20% of it's population, but  seriously do not think they have thought this through. Better to wait a few more months in my opinion.

 

Money desperation I guess.

[smedly]

3 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Money desperation I guess

sounds familiar

[sammieuk1]

The key is in the "Vaccinated" bit look and lean general ???? 

[sirineou]

31 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Lunacy - Greece's current 7 day average is 70 odd dead a day and over 2500 infections a day. Opening in May is going to cause a huge explosions. Greece may have vaccinated near 20% of it's population, but  seriously do not think they have thought this through. Better to wait a few more months in my opinion.

 

Money desperation I guess.

You guess right it is economics.

Greece does not have a few months. If it looses this tourist season also ,a vast sector of it's economy will be in big trouble. 

They have a robust vaccination program and are now vaccinating 45 year old and up, in addition they are targeting certain tourist areas, such as popular islands,  and people who will work there. Time will show their plan  will be successful . I had conversations with contacts there, and they all seem to feel very confident. We plan to go there late August and return to Thailand early October in the hope that by then, we will not have to quarantine   as they said,, but who knows we will be monitoring conditions. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

sounds familiar

I'll wait for Pipats announcement of a travel bubble with Greece.

[Tony125]

5 hours ago, sirineou said:

You guess right it is economics.

Greece does not have a few months. If it looses this tourist season also ,a vast sector of it's economy will be in big trouble. 

They have a robust vaccination program and are now vaccinating 45 year old and up, in addition they are targeting certain tourist areas, such as popular islands,  and people who will work there. Time will show their plan  will be successful . I had conversations with contacts there, and they all seem to feel very confident. We plan to go there late August and return to Thailand early October in the hope that by then, we will not have to quarantine   as they said,, but who knows we will be monitoring conditions. 

Europe Unveils Plans to Open to Vaccinated Americans

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/europe-unveils-plans-to-open-to-vaccinated-americans/ar-BB1g2Ouq?li=BBnbklE

[LazySlipper]

I don't think that many people are up to traveling these days. Traveling also costs money and everyone is saying how bad the economic situation is globally, or is it?

[newnative]

3 hours ago, LazySlipper said:

I don't think that many people are up to traveling these days. Traveling also costs money and everyone is saying how bad the economic situation is globally, or is it?

     Certainly many are hurting but there are also many who are not hurting at all.  One of my sisters in the US is a good example.  She's 71 and she emailed me the other day that she is very anxious to get traveling again.  In her words, her bucket list of places she wants to go to is getting longer, while the time she has to visit them is getting shorter. 

    She and her husband, both covid-vaccinated, have good retirements, plenty of money, and they've spent little since covid hit.  They actually have a trip to Greece booked for later this year and are hoping it won't be cancelled.  My partner and I are also anxious to travel internationally again but realize we won't be going anywhere out of the country until we are vaccinated.  

[LazySlipper]

1 hour ago, newnative said:

My partner and I are also anxious to travel internationally again

Anxious or eager?

Anxious means with apprehension... are you worried about your travels even if you have vaccine?

[newnative]

1 hour ago, LazySlipper said:

Anxious or eager?

Anxious means with apprehension... are you worried about your travels even if you have vaccine?

A secondary definition is eager, which is often how I use it.  "I'm anxious to get the new car I ordered; I can hardly wait."

[rasmus5150]

5 hours ago, LazySlipper said:

I don't think that many people are up to traveling these days. Traveling also costs money and everyone is saying how bad the economic situation is globally, or is it?

Depends on where you live.

 

In Denmark the Travel business is booming the last 2 weeks.

People are calling and asking where they can go - the destination doesn't matter.

 

Tourism in Europe will commence this late summer 2021 - but travels to SE Asia from Europe not before autumn 2022. But of course all this could easily change in a split-second.....

[Excel]

I hope they review that decision and not allow those "dirty infected Thais" into Greece, after all that is what Anutin would say so what is good for the goose is good for the gander  (Joking of course because the general population with the exception of the Elite and HISOs etc are wonderful people )  In fact given the uncontrollable spread of this virus thro' Thailand I am surprised that Thailand is not on the red list world wide. 

[Mundaring]

Hoho. Another country feeling the pain. Any bets against TL following suit quick smart?

 

Can't be a hub AND be beaten to the punch... besides, bound to boost the tourism.

 

 

[Mundaring]

1 hour ago, Excel said:

I hope they review that decision and not allow those "dirty infected Thais" into Greece, after all that is what Anutin would say so what is good for the goose is good for the gander  (Joking of course because the general population with the exception of the Elite and HISOs etc are wonderful people )  In fact given the uncontrollable spread of this virus thro' Thailand I am surprised that Thailand is not on the red list world wide. 

 

Kinda makes you wonder why they put up with this government though - don't it?

[DaLa]

So the Transport Minister of Greece is confident that the UAE is an acceptable country to accept travellers from.  I hope he passes whatever information he has in making that decision onto the UK authorities as they still require compulsory state quarantine from that country.

 

Although if I can't get to the UK this year , Greece sounds a good alternative.

[DrJack54]

Nutters

[Excel]

5 minutes ago, Mundaring said:

 

Kinda makes you wonder why they put up with this government though - don't it?

Military might is quite an influencer

[Mundaring]

1 hour ago, Excel said:

Military might is quite an influencer

Hmmm. But they're not that mighty. 300,000 strong doesn't go very far with a population of 70million, 90% of which are not of a yellow persuasion. Perhaps the propaganda is stronger than i think it should be... or perhaps they're just in their comfort zone... being Thai and all that means different things to different people I imagine.

[Excel]

1 minute ago, Mundaring said:

Hmmm. But they're not that mighty. 300,000 strong doesn't go very far with a population of 70million, 90% of which are not of a yellow persuasion. Perhaps the propaganda is stronger than i think it should be... or perhaps they're just in their comfort zone... being Thai and all that means different things to different people I imagine.

I think the history of the Thai military shooting  civilians goes deep into the Thai society memories. The killing of 71 in 1973, 46 in 1976, 52 in 1992 and 87 2010 may not seem a lot in terms of population size but it delivered warnings of what the Thai army has done previously without consequence so sure as hell that puts fear into many people. I honestly do not think that this government's corruption or incompetence in dealing with this pandemic will make one iota of difference

[Mundaring]

1 hour ago, Excel said:

I think the history of the Thai military shooting  civilians goes deep into the Thai society memories. The killing of 71 in 1973, 46 in 1976, 52 in 1992 and 87 2010 may not seem a lot in terms of population size but it delivered warnings of what the Thai army has done previously without consequence so sure as hell that puts fear into many people. I honestly do not think that this government's corruption or incompetence in dealing with this pandemic will make one iota of difference

 

If so then it's a sad observation. Yet the Thai people keep giving them lots of cash to buy more guns and bullets with. Perhaps that's just another part of the propaganda. Another part of the fear... my goodness, when that dam breaks it will be a sight to behold seeing so many chickens coming home to roost. I would have expected to hear more from USA but perhaps it's not so very surprising.... what with China...

Edited April 26, 2021 by Mundaring

[Excel]

3 minutes ago, Mundaring said:

 

If so then it's a sad observation. Yet the Thai people keep giving them lots of cash to buy more guns and bullets with. Perhaps that's just another part of the propaganda. Another part of the fear... my goodness, when that dam breaks it will be a sight to behold seeing so many chickens coming home to roost. I would have expected to hear more from USA but perhaps it's not so very surprising.... what with China...

Brainwashed from the time they start school unfortunately. 

[Mundaring]

1 hour ago, Excel said:

Brainwashed from the time they start school unfortunately. 

Yes. I can see that. And how it was achieved, which is even more worrisome.

 

I think I've spent too much of my life in the wrong game. Still, hindsight is 20/20 vision - right?

Edited April 26, 2021 by Mundaring

[sirineou]

4 hours ago, newnative said:

     Certainly many are hurting but there are also many who are not hurting at all.  One of my sisters in the US is a good example.  She's 71 and she emailed me the other day that she is very anxious to get traveling again.  In her words, her bucket list of places she wants to go to is getting longer, while the time she has to visit them is getting shorter. 

    She and her husband, both covid-vaccinated, have good retirements, plenty of money, and they've spent little since covid hit.  They actually have a trip to Greece booked for later this year and are hoping it won't be cancelled.  My partner and I are also anxious to travel internationally again but realize we won't be going anywhere out of the country until we are vaccinated.  

That is exactly right. Aside from my job Pension and Social security income, that was not effected from the pandemic, I had enjoyed 3 stimulus  checks, and the discounts industry is offering to stimulate their business .  Economically speaking , the pandemic has been a boon to me. 

[Excel]

30 minutes ago, Mundaring said:

Yes. I can see that. And how it was achieved, which is even more worrisome.

 

I think I've spent too much of my life in the wrong game. Still, hindsight is 20/20 vision - right?

We are all experts in hindsight. However there are also experts on this forum who are experts in their own imagination ???? 

[Mundaring]

1 hour ago, Excel said:

We are all experts in hindsight. However there are also experts on this forum who are experts in their own imagination ???? 

Yes, I think I've noticed some of them. While lurking.

[LazySlipper]

5 hours ago, newnative said:

A secondary definition is eager, which is often how I use it.  "I'm anxious to get the new car I ordered; I can hardly wait."

 

Not really... sorry dude I used to make that mistake all the time too until I learned the right usage...

 

1. experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

"she was extremely anxious about her exams"

 

2. wanting something very much, typically with a feeling of unease.

"the company was anxious to avoid any trouble"

 

google it or use a decent dictionary

 

[newnative]

30 minutes ago, LazySlipper said:

 

Not really... sorry dude I used to make that mistake all the time too until I learned the right usage...

 

1. experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

"she was extremely anxious about her exams"

 

2. wanting something very much, typically with a feeling of unease.

"the company was anxious to avoid any trouble"

 

google it or use a decent dictionary

 

I did google it.  How about Merriam Webster.  A third meaning is 'showing urgent desire or interest'.  From Merriam:

Synonyms for anxious

• agog, 
• antsy, 
• ardent, 
• athirst, 
• avid, 
• crazy, 
• desirous, 
• eager, 
• enthused, 
• enthusiastic, 
• excited, 
• geeked 
• [slang], 
• great, 
• greedy, 
• gung ho, 
• hepped up, 
• hopped-up, 
• hot, 
• hungry, 
• impatient, 
• juiced, 
• keen, 
• nuts, 
• pumped, 
• raring, 
• solicitous, 
• stoked 
• [slang], 
• thirsty, 
• voracious, 
• wild

    Note 'eager', 'enthused', 'excited', and 'desirous' as synonyms for anxious on the list, which is how I often use anxious in writing and speech.   In any case, it's easy to see there is no absolute 'right' usage; the word can be employed in different ways.  And, the meaning of how it is being used is usually apparent in the sentence.  "John was anxious about his cancer test results."  Worried.  "John was anxious to try the new chocolate-flavored coffee at Starbucks."  Excited or eager.

[Albert Zweistein]

1 hour ago, newnative said:

I did google it.  How about Merriam Webster.  A third meaning is 'showing urgent desire or interest'.  From Merriam:

Synonyms for anxious

• agog, 
• antsy, 
• ardent, 
• athirst, 
• avid, 
• crazy, 
• desirous, 
• eager, 
• enthused, 
• enthusiastic, 
• excited, 
• geeked 
• [slang], 
• great, 
• greedy, 
• gung ho, 
• hepped up, 
• hopped-up, 
• hot, 
• hungry, 
• impatient, 
• juiced, 
• keen, 
• nuts, 
• pumped, 
• raring, 
• solicitous, 
• stoked 
• [slang], 
• thirsty, 
• voracious, 
• wild

    Note 'eager', 'enthused', 'excited', and 'desirous' as synonyms for anxious on the list, which is how I often use anxious in writing and speech.   In any case, it's easy to see there is no absolute 'right' usage; the word can be employed in different ways.  And, the meaning of how it is being used is usually apparent in the sentence.  "John was anxious about his cancer test results."  Worried.  "John was anxious to try the new chocolate-flavored coffee at Starbucks."  Excited or eager.

At Starbucks ?????????????????????

[newnative]

7 hours ago, Albert Zweistein said:

At Starbucks ?????????????????????

Just a fictitious sentence to illustrate my point; as was the one about John's cancer tests.