Travel to All Greek Islands Resumes

Restrictions on traveling to the Greek islands were lifted today, with ferries resuming routes with new health and safety protocols in place.


Τraveling to and from all Greek islands reopened on Monday, as citizens had so far only been able to travel to Crete, due to the coronavirus travel bans.

Speaking to state-run news agency ANA-MPA on Saturday, representatives of shipping companies said that bookings for Monday are “satisfactory” and also pointed out that many citizens with holiday homes had been “waiting for this day,” seeing as tourism flows are minimal ahead of the tourist season reopening soon.

 

They did, however, express concern about whether adequate bookings would continue beyond Monday.

Ferries will operate at a 50 percent capacity, or 55 percent in larger ships with cabins, while strict health safety protocols are in place for the protection of all passengers, including body temperature checks prior to boarding. All passengers traveling for longer than 30 minutes will also be required to fill out special questionnaires.

Boarding will not be allowed to anyone who either displays Covid-19 symptoms or has been in contact with someone infected in the last 14 days – both as per the questionnaire.

A distance of at least 1.5 meters must also be maintained by all passengers in all areas at all times.

Seven ferries are scheduled to depart from Piraeus port on Monday: two to the Cyclades, one to Chios-Mytilini and four to Crete. Rafina port will see one ferry depart to the Cyclades, while another three will depart from Lavrio port: two to Kea-Kythnos-Syros and one to Agios Efstratios-Limnos-Kavala. 

This article was previously published at ekathimerini.com.



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