Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis announced on Tuesday that six Greek ports – Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Volos, Corfu, Heraklion and Katakolon – will be open to homeport operations for cruise ships from August 1.
The remaining Greek ports will be able to receive calls. Passengers visiting these ports must wear masks.
Theocharis warned that the situation could change depending on how the infection data evolves.
The European Union's Healthy Gateways guide for restarting cruise operations recommends that cruises do not carry more than 60% of their passenger capacity and that they conduct checks on passengers and crew before boarding, such as temperature checks and completing a health declaration.
The guide asks that ships reserve isolation cabins for quarantines in case coronavirus cases are confirmed, and that before starting the voyage, the shipping company agree with the home port on possible isolation procedures to be applied, as well as predefining hospitals and hotels to be used if necessary.
In addition, all crew members must be trained on how to handle COVID-19 cases.
