MORE than 100 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Greece from incoming tourists since the country opened its borders.
Holidaymakers have been able to visit Greece since July 1, with Brits due to return next week.
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More than 100 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in tourists since Greece opened its bordersCredit: Reuters
The country has managed to keep coronavirus cases low, with just 2,055 active cases and 3,589 overall.
Restrictions have also been lowered, with face masks no longer mandatory in shopping centres and tables of more than six people at bars and restaurants now allowed.
However, following the return of holidaymakers, a surge in cases has been confirmed in the past nine days, leading to concerns of another wave.
According to local media, 33 new cases were reported on Tuesday, of which 21 were international tourists, despite daily cases dropping to an average of 13 in June.
Tourists with the virus are now in quarantine for two weeks.
Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas told local media: “We knew from the beginning that when we gradually opened the country’s gates to the world, we would have imported incidents.”
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The country is welcoming Brits back from July 15Credit: Shutterstock
Surges have already been reported in Spain, with two regions going back into lockdown, and Germany, where 650 cases were confirmed at an abattoir last month.
Despite this, Greece is still a popular holiday option for Brits, with cheap package deals to the Med as low as £99pp for a seven-night holiday.
Greece’s flag carrier Aegean Airlines is also offering buy-one-get-one-half-price on all their flights to encourage tourists to return this summer.
Yet a recent survey revealed Brits to be the least welcomed tourists in Europe, due to the country’s coronavirus numbers, with two thirds of Spaniards wanting a British tourist ban.
Greece is looking at tourists of other nationalities, not just for safety but for spending habits.
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Greek tourism experts told local media: “The travel ban should end immediately, and Turks should come. A Turkish tourist is worth seven European tourists.
Sakis Petru, a yacht broker in Rhodes, added: “Turks spend thrice more than Germans. At fish restaurants, Turks eat calamari and octopus, Germans only eat salads.”
Greece has also banned Serbian tourists from entering the country since July 6.
Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis calls for the UK to stop their two-week quarantine and kickstart holidays for Brits
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