Greece to open seven border crossings with Balkan countries, Turkey

Greece will reopen seven of its 14 border crossings in the north on Wednesday, as part of the country’s further reopening to tourists from abroad.

Authorities are keen to reopen the lucrative highways which bring thousands of Balkan tourists mostly to northern parts of the country.

The entry points are Evzones, Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Promachonas, Nymfea, Kastanies and Kipi, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said at a press briefing on Monday.

Petsas said on July 1 Greece will be taking “the final step” in returning to the “new normality” as all airports are scheduled o open to international flights. 

Wednesday is also the day when yachts and other vessels from abroad will be allowed to dock at Greek ports. 

Greece eases more coronavirus restrictions

Movie theaters, casinos and children’s summer camps reopened in Greece on Monday, while concerts, conferences, commercial fairs and artistic events can once again be held, in the latest phase of the country’s easing of lockdown measures.

Outdoor summer movie theaters have already been open for several weeks, but this is the first time indoor theaters will be able to operate since the lockdown was imposed in March.

Greece’s government imposed a lockdown early on in the country’s coronavirus outbreak, a move that has been credited with keeping the number of deaths and critically ill patients low. On Sunday, Greece reported no new deaths and 10 new cases, for a total of 191 deaths and 3,376 confirmed cases. The country has gradually been easing restrictions.

On Wednesday, international flights will be allowed at regional airports across the country once more. Currently tourists can fly into only Athens or the northern city of Thessaloniki. Greece has been eager to attract foreign visitors, as tourism makes up a significant part of the country's economy.