Greek PM in Santorini ahead of tourist season reopening

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday he didn't want to make Greece Europe's "number one destination" but the continent's "safest destination," as the country begins to reopen to international tourists.

Heavily reliant on tourism, the south eastern European country is officially reopening to foreigners on Monday after closing its borders to most during the coronavirus pandemic.

Its hopes are pinned on popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos and the islands of Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Santorini, where regular ferry services have already resumed and direct international flights are set to restart on July 1.

Mitsotakis said he was expecting people to be "more comfortable in booking late holidays" towards August, September and October.

The Greek government has taken a gamble in deciding to relax COVID-19 health inspections at ports and airports in order to avoid another crippling recession, having only recently emerged from an economically painful period sparked by the international financial crisis.

In Santorini - one of the country's most popular island destinations - there are currently no cruise liners docked, no tourists roaming the narrow streets of its renowned whitewashed towns and no couples sipping wine, enjoying the sunset.

Most hotels, restaurants, and shops haven't opened yet, and the few businesses that don't have their shutters down are serving locals and a handful of tourists coming through Athens. Travel to the island was authorised on June 1.

George Louis, who runs a cafe in the town of Fira, said islanders had to go "day by day," stressing the need to put health before business.

A high-end travel destination, Santorini relies heavily on international tourists. Louis suggested that most local businesses were set to suffer without the cruise liners which usually bring thousands of tourists on a daily basis.

Greece’s National Public Health Organization reported just four new coronavirus cases on Sunday and no virus-related deaths.

This brought the total number of confirmed cases in Greece to 3,112, including 183 deaths. The number of infections is thought to be higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.