Greece scraps mandatory indoor masks ahead of summer travel

Athens, Jun 1 (EFE).- People are no longer required to wear face masks in almost all indoor public spaces in Greece for the first time in two years as the country lifted the rule on Wednesday ahead of the tourist season.

This was the final coronavirus restriction in the popular tourist destination after dropping a requirement to show proof of vaccination or negative test to enter most indoor places last month.

However, face-covering will remain mandatory in hospitals, nursing homes and public transport such as the subway, buses, and trams.

Daily coronavirus infections in Greece have dropped to an average of 4,000, while related deaths do not exceed 20 per day.

“Apparently the pandemic will not pressure us during the summer,” Greek health minister Thanos Plevris during a televised speech, but stressed that the incidence rate may increase starting September and that some of the lifted measures may be restored.

Hard hit by the pandemic for two years, Greece expects to receive this season a number of tourists similar to that of 2019, the best year in the history of Greek tourism.EFE

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