Greece opens for tourism after COVID-19 lockdown

Greece opened for tourism on Saturday after coronavirus lockdowns burdened the country for months.

Famous archaeological sites and museums along with travel between islands are open again in the hopes of tourism spiking to at least 40 percent of 2019 levels, Reuters reported.

2020 was the worst year for tourism for Greece on record with only 7 million tourists and $4.9 billion in revenue. 2019 saw 33 million tourists and $21 billion in revenue.

Tourists can travel to Greece and between regions if they are vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test. 

The government hopes to get most of its population vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of June, according to Reuters.

Tourism and travel are expected to go up in many parts of the world as numerous countries are beginning to loosen their coronavirus restrictions. 

The president of the European Commission even said that Americans who are vaccinated will be able to travel throughout Europe this summer.

Companies in the U.S. are beginning to drop their mask mandate and pandemic restrictions as well after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks indoors.