A public health worker collects a swab sample from a boy to test for the COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, at the Greek-Bulgarian border crossing in Promachonas on July 10, 2020. / AFP / Sakis MITROLIDIS
Greece is set to require Covid-19 tests for travelers entering the country through its land border with Bulgaria, as a spike in virus cases in the Balkans sparks concerns for the Athens government.
Starting July 14, travelers coming from Bulgaria must produce a negative test result conducted no more than 72 hours before entering, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said after a meeting with top officials including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
"Our first concern should be the security of both visitors and the residents of tourist destinations,” Mitsotakis was cited as saying.
Greece carried out more than 31,000 tests at its border crossings and entry points between July 1 and July 6, with only 100 cases returning positive results, Petsas said Thursday.
The land crossing with Bulgaria is a point of concern following recent spikes in cases throughout the Balkans, he said.
Visitors to Greece must now complete a "passenger locater form” 24 hours before arrival, rather than the 48 hours under previous rules. Greek authorities will also run more than 300 checks across the country through the end of the weekend to assure that distancing rules are being respected.
