It may take years before being in a crowd will once again feel normal. Even if no new SARS-CoV-2 variants appear, some things, like touching strangers or taking a sip from someone else’s drink, have lost their innocence; they may occur only preceded a hesitant pause. Thankfully to most of us, those things don’t feel vital. Something we here at Greece Is can’t be without, on the other hand, is travel. And on that front, we can now happily announce that Greece is back – at least for the summer.

As of May 1st, Greece has lifted all Covid-19 restrictions for foreign and domestic flights. While previously travelers were required to show either a vaccination certificate, a certificate saying they had recovered from coronavirus or a negative test, none of those are longer necessary. The same goes for other forms of travel within the country, such as boarding the ferries for the Greek islands. The requirement for a PLF (passenger locator form), used during the pandemic to locate travelers who may be carrying the coronavirus, was abandoned earlier this spring.

Spending time at your destination, too, is no longer limited by any pandemic measures. The previous separation of vaccinated and unvaccinated people for access to restaurants and entertainment venues has been virtually abolished, as no certificates are required. Anyone can visit retail stores, restaurants, cinemas, and theaters. Restaurants and retail shops have also been allowed to return to 100% capacity, meaning there will be no stopping the summer parties – or, at the most popular beach clubs, bumping into those strangers, although alternative destinations suitable for social distancing are still growing in popularity.

The only measure that remains, and which will be in effect for at least another month according to authorities, is the requirement on wearing face masks in public indoor spaces. That includes airplanes, ferries and other public transport, airports, stores and entertainment venues, but guests at restaurants and bars may take their masks off.